Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study Findings in Full-Term and Preterm Infants With Dysphagia.
10.5535/arm.2013.37.2.175
- Author:
Kyeong Eun UHM
1
;
Sook Hee YI
;
Hyun Jung CHANG
;
Hee Jung CHEON
;
Jeong Yi KWON
Author Information
1. Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jeongyi.kwon@samsung.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Fluoroscopy;
Dysphagia;
Infant;
Premature;
Term birth
- MeSH:
Birth Weight;
Cough;
Deglutition;
Deglutition Disorders;
Fluoroscopy;
Gestational Age;
Heart;
Humans;
Infant;
Infant, Newborn;
Infant, Premature;
Referral and Consultation;
Retrospective Studies;
Term Birth
- From:Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
2013;37(2):175-182
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical characteristics and videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) findings in infants with suspected dysphagia and compare the clinical characteristics and VFSS findings between full-term and preterm infants. METHODS: A total of 107 infants (67 full-term and 40 preterm) with suspected dysphagia who were referred for VFSS at a tertiary university hospital were enrolled in this retrospective study. Clinical characteristics and VFSS findings were reviewed by a physiatrist and an experienced speech-language pathologist. The association between the reasons of referral for VFSS and VFSS findings were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean gestational age was 35.1+/-5.3 weeks, and mean birth weight was 2,381+/-1,026 g. The most common reason for VFSS referral was 'poor sucking' in full-term infants and 'desaturation' in preterm infants. The most common associated medical condition was 'congenital heart disease' in full-term infants and 'bronchopulmonary dysplasia' in preterm infants. Aspiration was observed in 42 infants (39.3%) and coughing was the only clinical predictor of aspiration in VFSS. However, 34 of 42 infants (81.0%) who showed aspiration exhibited silent aspiration during VFSS. There were no significant differences in the VFSS findings between the full-term and preterm infants except for 'decreased sustained sucking.' CONCLUSION: There are some differences in the clinical manifestations and VFSS findings between full-term and preterm infants with suspected dysphagia. The present findings provide a better understanding of these differences and can help clarify the different pathophysiologic mechanisms of dysphagia in infants.
