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BaByVFSSImP© A Novel Measurement Tool for Videofluoroscopic Assessment of Swallowing Impairment in Bottle-Fed Babies: Establishing a Standard

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Abstract

Aim

This investigation tested the construct validity of the first standardized assessment tool, the BaByVFSS Impairment Profile, (BaByVFSSImP©), developed for the quantification of swallowing observations made from videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) in bottle-fed babies.

Method

Construct validity of the measures was tested using descriptive methods and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of swallowing scores obtained from a cohort of bottle-fed babies (median age 3 months 1 day, interquartile range 1 month 4 days–7 months 4 days) sequentially referred for VFSS based on clinical signs, symptoms, or risk factors associated with dysphagia and/or aspiration. Main outcome measures were emergence of functional domains derived from swallowing component impairment scores.

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis resulted in 21 significant components (factor loadings ≥ 0.5) grouping into five functional domains labeled for common contribution to overall swallowing function. The tool was organized into the BaByVFSSImP. Clinical relevance was explored using correlational analyses between domain scores, maximum penetration/aspiration scores, feeding status, and caregiver burden.

Interpretation

Quantification of physiologic swallowing impairment captured by BaByVFSSImP holds promise for identification of physiologically based targets for intervention, clinical decisions regarding enteral feeding, and tracking the trajectory of swallowing impairment throughout development in young children.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the families for partaking in this project. Our gratitude is expressed for the contributions of the Speech Language Pathologists that were involved in this work including Kate Davidson, M.S., M. Cara Erskine, M. Ed., Jeannine Hoch, M.A., Sandra B. Martin, M.S., Heather Mcghee, M.S., Katlyn McGrattan, Ph.D., Keeley McKelvey, M.S., and Melissa Montiel, M.S. This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health Grants NIDCD 5R01DC011290-05 (ML-G and BM-H). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Communication, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 2240 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA

    Bonnie Martin-Harris

  2. Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Evelyn Trammell Institute for Voice and Swallowing, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 135 Rutledge Avenue, MSC 550, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA

    Bonnie Martin-Harris

  3. Research Service, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, 5000 South 5th Avenue, Hines, IL, 60141, USA

    Bonnie Martin-Harris

  4. Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, 2024 East Monument Street, Suite 2-500, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Kathryn A. Carson

  5. Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Kathryn A. Carson

  6. Eudowood Division of Pediatric Respiratory Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, David M. Rubenstein Building, Suite 3070, 200 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Jeanne M. Pinto

  7. Eudowood Division of Pediatric Respiratory Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, David M. Rubenstein Building, Suite 3017, 200 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Maureen A. Lefton-Greif

  8. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Maureen A. Lefton-Greif

  9. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Maureen A. Lefton-Greif

Authors
  1. Bonnie Martin-Harris
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  2. Kathryn A. Carson
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  3. Jeanne M. Pinto
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  4. Maureen A. Lefton-Greif
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Correspondence to Bonnie Martin-Harris.

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Martin-Harris, B., Carson, K.A., Pinto, J.M. et al. BaByVFSSImP© A Novel Measurement Tool for Videofluoroscopic Assessment of Swallowing Impairment in Bottle-Fed Babies: Establishing a Standard. Dysphagia 35, 90–98 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-019-10008-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-019-10008-x

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