Which of the following is a common cause of upper airway obstruction in children?

Aspiration of a foreign body is indeed a common cause of upper airway obstruction in children. Children are naturally curious and tend to explore their environment by putting objects in their mouths, which significantly increases the risk of choking. When a foreign body becomes lodged in the upper airway, it can block the normal passage of air, leading to respiratory distress and potentially life-threatening situations.

In contrast, chronic asthma, while it can cause upper respiratory symptoms and difficulty breathing, usually manifests as bronchoconstriction in the lower airways rather than outright obstruction in the upper airway. Hyperventilation syndrome is related to anxiety and does not typically cause structural blockage of the airways; instead, it results in respiratory alkalosis and can lead to symptoms such as dizziness. Low blood sugar does not directly cause airway obstruction; rather, it affects energy levels and may lead to altered mental status but does not impede the airway. Therefore, aspiration of a foreign body remains the most relevant cause of upper airway obstruction specifically in the context of children.