Swallowing Problems in Children
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Abstract
Abnormal swallowing in children is common in pediatric practice, especially in the children with neurological or developmental disorder. The symptoms include frequent choking or coughing during swallowing. In addition, there may be dyspnea caused by airway obstruction, aspiration, and recurrent pneumonia. The healthcare providers who care for children with suspected swallowing problems need to understand the child’s age-related eating development and normal swallowing processes. A thorough history taking, including symptoms, age-appropriate diet, and feeding posture, is essential. A child suspected of having a swallowing problem requires a thorough physical examination, especially the oral cavity, and observing symptoms while eating. Additional investigations such as videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) may be performed where the cause of swallowing problems cannot be determined through history and physical examination. Besides treating the cause of swallowing problems in children, adjusting the texture of diet and eating posture is a necessary additional treatment to reduce complications that may arise if aspiration occurs again.
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