Author(s)
James Leonard, MD
Nancy Bauman, MD
Claire Lawlor, MD
Sona Sehgal, MD
Teena Sebastian, MD
Maura Collins, MS, CCC-SLP
Affiliation(s)
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital; Children's National medical Center;
Abstract:
Pediatric Dysphagia: Addressing all Angles
Objective: Pediatric dysphagia is an intricate problem, at times requiring multidisciplinary management. We present complex patients treated in a multidisciplinary aerodigestive clinic (ADC) at a tertiary children’s hospital.
Methods: A retrospective review was completed of all pediatric patients treated for dysphagia in a multidisciplinary ADC from January 1st, 2015 through August 31st, 2021. Charts were queried for demographics, comorbidities, dysphagia characteristics, evaluation methods and outcomes. Analysis was completed with nonparametric statistical testing.
Results:
Seventy-nine patients were included in the study. Median age at presentation was 19 months. Nearly 70% of patients were full-term. Comorbidities included gastroesophageal reflux disease (73.4%), developmental delay (51.9%), and genetic anomalies (30.4%). Approximately one third of patients suffered from aspiration (35.4%). Children tolerating only enteral feeds on presentation were unlikely to be able to transition to solely oral feeds (20%), compared with children taking at least some nutrition by mouth (40%).
Conclusions:
The etiology of pediatric dysphagia is often multifactorial. We observed patients presenting with no oral intake at increased risk for persistent tube feed dependence.