It isn’t unusual for kids to be fussy about eating different foods, but most children grow out of this. Swallowing disorders in children are surprisingly common, however. Current estimates suggest that as many as 45% of children have some type of dysphagia. Our Guest Contributor today has some experience on the topic, and they will be sharing some signs to look for, and options for treatment.

What are the Symptoms of Pediatric Dysphagia?

Children with dysphagia may have problems during any part of the swallowing process. This can even include swallowing saliva.

The problem with swallowing disorders in children is that they can impact a child’s ability to get the nutrition they need to grow. If a child can’t eat or take on liquids, they won’t thrive or gain weight. It is especially dangerous in babies.

A child with dysphagia can’t swallow properly while eating or drinking. Symptoms will vary according to the age of the child. Babies and toddlers may vomit food and drink or choke while they are eating or drinking. They don’t meet weight gain milestones and may even lose weight. Younger children with dysphagia can have problems breathing while they eat. For example, a baby with dysphagia will struggle to suckle, leading to excessive crying and coughing.

Older children may be able to vocalize the problem. They might complain they can feel something stuck at the back of their throat. They will probably cough, choke, and struggle to breathe while eating and drinking. Weight loss is common. Your child might eat very slowly or drool while eating. Their voice might also change.

What Causes Pediatric Dysphagia?

Cleft lips and cleft palates are orofacial birth defects where the lip and mouth don’t form properly during pregnancy. The two defects can occur separately or together. Current US stats indicate around one in every 1600 babies are born with a cleft lip and cleft palate. While cleft lips and cleft palates can be surgically corrected, the nature of the defect can lead to dysphagia.

Vocal cord dysfunction tends to occur in older children aged 6+. It’s usually the result of infections, allergens, physical exercise, or stress. Vocal cord dysfunction can cause pediatric dysphagia.

The other main cause of dysphagia in children is gastroesophageal reflux disease. Reflux is common in babies; most outgrow the problem by 18 months. GERD is less common and more serious, especially when it prevents a baby or child from eating.

Treating Dysphagia in Kids

Any child showing signs of dysphagia should be assessed by a pediatric doctor. The consequences of not eating or drinking properly are severe and should never be dismissed by parents or medical professionals. A full clinical evaluation is essential, where feeding breastfeeding, baby formula feeding, and solid food feeding practices are observed, using foods and utensils a child would normally use.

Once a diagnosis has been given, there are various ways to treat the problem. For example, liquids can be thickened into a pudding consistency with SimplyThick to prevent aspiration.

Changing types of food and cooking methods can also help to treat the condition. A team of experts will be on hand to offer advice, whether it is your baby or an older child that has dysphagia. It’s important not to panic as there are a great many solutions to help your child eat and drink normally, and your medical team should be able to talk you through them.