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Observations from a pediatric dysphagia clinic: Characteristics of children at risk of aspiration pneumonia
Author(s) -
Pavithran Jayanthy,
Puthiyottil Indu Vadakke,
Narayan Mythili,
Vidhyadharan Sivakumar,
Me Jayakumar R.,
Iyer Subramania
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.27654
Subject(s) - dysphagia , aspiration pneumonia , medicine , pneumonia , pediatrics , general surgery , intensive care medicine , surgery
Objectives The clinical variables that are predictive of aspiration pneumonia are not clear in the pediatric population. This study was conducted in order to identify the demographic, clinical, and radiological risk factors for the development of aspiration pneumonia in children referred to the dysphagia clinic. Methods A retrospective analysis of medical records of 88 children referred to the dysphagia clinic who had undergone videofluroscopic swallow study (VFSS). Results Oropharyngeal dysphagia was found in 61.3% (54 of 88). Incidence of aspiration pneumonia was 39.8% (35 of 88). Conclusion Respiratory symptoms such as cough, choking, excessive secretions, and pharyngeal dysmotility other than aspiration in VFSS were not predictors of pneumonia. Infants and children with laryngotracheal anomalies, demonstrable aspiration in VFSS, and major cardiac illness are at risk of presenting with aspiration pneumonia. Whether gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or esophageal dysmotility are causative of aspiration in the rest of the population needs to be investigated by future prospective studies. Level of Evidence 3b. Laryngoscope , 129:2614–2618, 2019