Title:Treatment Approaches for Swallowing Disorders in Children
Volume: 19
Issue: 3
Author(s): Miriam J. Cano-Larios, Miguel S. Gallardo-Luna, Erick M. Toro-Monjaraz*, Flora E. Zarate-Mondragón, Jose F. Cadena-León, Karen R. Ignorosa-Arellano, Ericka Montijo-Barrios, Roberto Cervantes-Bustamante and Jaime Ramirez-Mayans
Affiliation:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Department, National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico City, México
Keywords:
Deglutition disorders, swallowing disorder, dysphagia, feeding, suction, respiratory aspiration, enteral nutrition, feeding tube.
Abstract:
A swallowing disorder or dysphagia is defined as a disorder in the sequence of swallowing,
during the oral or pharyngeal phase, which compromises the safety and/or efficiency of transit
of the food bolus to the esophagus.
The evaluation of neurodevelopment, nutrition, and preventive medicine actions are as important as
the clinical evaluation of dysphagia, so they must be included and systematized in all pediatric
evaluations; This evaluation can be divided into different parts: bedside swallowing evaluation, instrumental
swallowing evaluation, and additional studies.
The management of swallowing disorders requires a multidisciplinary team approach, depending on
the child's age, cognitive and physical abilities, and the specific swallowing and feeding disorder,
ensuring adequate and safe nutrition and improving the patient's quality of life.