Foreign Body Aspiration Presenting as Recurrent Bronchiolitis: Case Report

Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a well-recognized pediatric emergency that is frequently misdiagnosed due to symptom overlap with common respiratory conditions such as bronchiolitis, asthma and pneumonia. This case report describes a toddler with recurrent wheezing and cough that persisted despite standard medical therapy. The child was evaluated at a pediatric urgent care center in which history, physical exam findings and imaging raised concern for airway obstruction. The child was transferred to a pediatric emergency department for suspected FBA prompting bronchoscopy evaluation, with confirmed and removed an aspirated foreign body. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of FBA and reinforces the importance of maintaining clinical suspicion when respiratory symptoms fail to improve as expected. Early recognition, appropriate imaging, and prompt intervention remain essential to prevent complications.