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Protocol for Swallowing Evaluation of Infants from 0‐2 Years using Videofluoroscopy
Author(s) -
Curcio Daniella,
Lederman Henrique,
Gonçalves Maria Ines
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.869.1
Subject(s) - swallowing , epiglottis , medicine , soft palate , dysphagia , larynx , oropharyngeal dysphagia , physical medicine and rehabilitation , protocol (science) , hyoid bone , surgery , pathology , alternative medicine
Similarly to non‐human primates, newborn babies have the ability to breath and swallow simultaneously. Early growth, however, involves a gradual descent of the hyoid bone and the larynx, determining the separation of the epiglottis from the soft palate and the enlargement of the oropharyngeal space, where these functions intersect. Neurological maturation occurs along with the anatomical reorganization and orchestrate the physiological events that results in alternated cycles of swallowing and breathing. Videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) is a dynamic imaging exam to detect risks for aspiration and evaluate the functionality of the structures of the digestive and respiratory tracts during swallowing. Our focus here is to describe a protocol to evaluate the swallowing function of infants from 0‐2 years of age. Comprised by imaging and clinical assessments we report preliminary findings obtained from the evaluation of normal and dysphagic infants. We anticipate that the protocol may contribute to standardize VFSS procedures, select treatment strategies, and evaluate early and late outcomes from rehabilitation program.