title: Swallowing difficulties and early CNS injuries: correlation with the presence of axial skeletal deformities.
abstract: We reviewed the neurological findings in 36 adults with history of perinatal brain injury that required gastrostomy due to progressive swallowing difficulties in a population of 624 institutionalized patients. A stereotypic pattern of progression of deficits was observed. Risk factors that correlated with increased risk of swallowing disorders included: presence of multiple handicaps; progressive deformities of the spine and extremities; decreased range of motion of mandible, laterognathism and other mandibular asymmetries. These findings suggest that spinal deformities and swallowing difficulties are part of a spectrum of impaired function of paired axial muscles in this population. The identification of these risk factors may help in the long-term care plan of severely impaired patients whose survival is extended by the use of feeding tubes.
authors: George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Detoledo
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Icovinno
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Haddad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014402:Tuberous Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation