Faculty Collaboration Database

Clinical identification of feeding and swallowing disorders in 0-6 month old infants with Down syndrome. Am J Med Genet A 2019 Feb;179(2):177-182

Date

12/28/2018

Pubmed ID

30588741

Pubmed Central ID

PMC6349541

DOI

10.1002/ajmg.a.11

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85059074120 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   47 Citations

Abstract

Feeding and swallowing disorders have been described in children with a variety of neurodevelopmental disabilities, including Down syndrome (DS). Abnormal feeding and swallowing can be associated with serious sequelae such as failure to thrive and respiratory complications, including aspiration pneumonia. Incidence of dysphagia in young infants with DS has not previously been reported. To assess the identification and incidence of feeding and swallowing problems in young infants with DS, a retrospective chart review of 174 infants, ages 0-6 months was conducted at a single specialty clinic. Fifty-seven percent (100/174) of infants had clinical concerns for feeding and swallowing disorders that warranted referral for Videofluroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS); 96/174 (55%) had some degree of oral and/or pharyngeal phase dysphagia and 69/174 (39%) had dysphagia severe enough to warrant recommendation for alteration of breast milk/formula consistency or nonoral feeds. Infants with certain comorbidities had significant risk for significant dysphagia, including those with functional airway/respiratory abnormalities (OR = 7.2). Infants with desaturation with feeds were at dramatically increased risk (OR = 15.8). All young infants with DS should be screened clinically for feeding and swallowing concerns. If concerns are identified, consideration should be given to further evaluation with VFSS for identification of dysphagia and additional feeding modifications.

Author List

Stanley MA, Shepherd N, Duvall N, Jenkinson SB, Jalou HE, Givan DC, Steele GH, Davis C, Bull MJ, Watkins DU, Roper RJ

Author

Carley Davis MD Professor in the Urologic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Deglutition Disorders
Down Syndrome
Feeding and Eating Disorders
Female
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Male
Milk, Human
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors