Near-fatal Food Aspiration in a Young Child With Down Syndrome: Clinical Case and Prevention Strategies

A 4-year-old boy with Down syndrome experienced life-threatening choking from aspirated fried chicken due to multiple vulnerabilities including delayed language development, absent protective airway reflexes, and impulsive eating behavior. The case emphasizes the need for proactive swallowing assessments, caregiver education, and individualized prevention strategies to reduce aspiration risk in children with Down syndrome.