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Pediatric Dysphagia: Evaluation and Management for Otolaryngologists

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The goal of this review is to understand normal swallow physiology in children and how that physiology can be disrupted, to give recommendations for evaluating dysphagia in children, and to summarize important etiologies of dysphagia that can be managed by otolaryngologists.

Recent Findings

Although prematurity and genetic syndromes predispose children to dysphagia, about ¼ of children referred to otolaryngologists for dysphagia are developmentally normal. Recent research has established that for children, flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallow is less sensitive for aspiration compared to video fluoroscopic swallow study.

Summary

Pediatric dysphagia has become both more common and more commonly recognized as rates of survival of preterm and syndromic children have increased. More high-quality research is needed to confidently understand the role of ankyloglossia and frenotomy in dysphagia. Multidisciplinary clinics have shown good outcomes for pediatric patients with dysphagia.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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  1. Pediatric Aerodigestive and Airway Reconstruction Center and The Center for Pediatric Voice and Swallowing Disorders, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, USA

    Alanna Coughran & Doug Sidell

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  1. Alanna Coughran
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Correspondence to Doug Sidell.

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Coughran, A., Sidell, D. Pediatric Dysphagia: Evaluation and Management for Otolaryngologists. Curr Otorhinolaryngol Rep 11, 365–373 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40136-023-00465-2

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