Contemporary Trends in the Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Dysphagia

Abstract

Abstract Purpose of Review The purpose of this review is to present the most recent data on the causes, diagnosis and treatment of pediatric dysphagia. The diagnosis and management of swallowing disorders presents a formidable dilemma to diagnose and manage in the pediatric population. Swallowing disorders can occur subtly or with overt signs and symptoms, and can occur in the context of other comorbidities such as premature birth, respiratory insufficiency, craniofacial anomalies, and motor delays. Pediatric dysphagia poses a significant risk because it can lead to chronic malnutrition and irreversible lung disease. Recent Findings Recent findings advocate for the use of multidisciplinary teams, such as the Aerodigestive and Swallowing Clinic (ADSC) to treat children with dysphagia. Expeditious return to oral intake of food is necessary to prevent long term issues such as food aversion. Summary  The summary of findings from the current literature suggests that the understanding of pediatric dysphagia and treatment is still in its infancy, and an algorithmic approach to diagnosis and treatment is necessary to allow the accumulation of objective outcomes data.