Pediatric dysphagia: How much can a pediatric body tolerate aspiration?
The below was an email we received from SLP, Jiji. We received permission to post and edit for the purpose of clarity. Feel free to comment below if you have any expertise in this area or have suggestions or resources that could be of assistance.
“I am so interested in discovering objective measures for dysphagia management especially in the context of family centered care. In our acute rehab setting, families are part of the team of decision makers. When’s best to commit to a G-tube over Ng tube, when to introduce different textures and amounts as their children heal from acquired and/or traumatic brain injuries? I can’t seem to locate any good statistics about how much a body can aspirate before it begins impacting the healing of other injuries within the body and before it causes a primary problem such as pneumonia. Currently, I am concerned that kiddos re-learn to eat so they don’t lose interest in eating but I have to balance that with not wanting to create an aversion to swallowing if foods are introduced prematurely and creates coughing or choking. It is a constant balance. Also, we honor the whole child and the whole family and that nurturing children via food is a big piece in family’s emotional recovery.
I would sure appreciate any information, resources you have handy to be sent my way. Thanks much!”
JiJi Hubert, MS, CCC-SLP
Vanouver, BC
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