Abstract
Background and aims: Coordination of breathing and swallowing must be precise for maintenance of airway protection and prevention of aspiration. The phases of respiration are interrupted during swallowing; swallowing apnea must be of sufficient duration to protect the airway to prevent entry of food or liquid. The specific respiratory phase patterns and the association with normal and abnormal swallowing parameters in pediatric patients are presently unknown. The aim of the present project was to analyze the duration of apneic pause during swallowing in association with swallowing parameters in a cohort of pediatric patients undergoing videofluoroscopic studies of swallowing.
Methods: A cohort of 50 pediatric patients undergoing videofluoroscopic swallowing studies was identified. The KayPentax Swallowing Signals Lab was used to digitally record the swallow studies concurrently with the respiratory signals. Nasal respiratory airflow was captured using a standard nasal cannula coupled to the video recording device.
Results: Variation was noted across subjects in regard to respiratory phase pattern associated with bolus type (thin liquid, thickened liquid, or solid). Variability in swallowing apnea duration was noted across all subjects, however, a significant difference in relation to the duration of swallowing apnea was found in participants who demonstrated aspiration.
Conclusions: Participants who did not display swallowing dysfunction were noted to demonstrate increased swallowing apnea duration in comparison to the participants who had aspiration events. Continued research is needed to delineate the relationship between respiratory phase patterns and swallowing abnormalities. Such data will assist clinicians in diagnosis and implementation of appropriate compensatory treatment strategies.
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Miller, C., Kelchner, L. 562 Relationship of Apneic Pause Duration and Airway Protection in Pediatric Patients Referred for Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Studies. Pediatr Res 68 (Suppl 1), 288 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00562
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00562