title: Pill swallowing ability and training in children 6 to 11 years of age.
abstract: Despite the widespread view that children have difficulty swallowing pills, data are limited. In an observational cohort study, pill swallowing ability (small oral tablet) was assessed in children age 6 to 11 years. A total of 113 of 124 subjects (91%) swallowed a tablet using an ordinary cup or a patented pill cup. All 57 subjects who initially said they could swallow a pill were capable. Forty-seven learned with an ordinary cup and nine with the pill cup. Eleven did not learn. The majority of children (91%) age 6 to 11 years were able to successfully swallow a small oral tablet.
authors.affiliation: Allergy and Asthma Medical Group and Research Center, San Diego, CA 92123, USA.
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Meltzer
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Welch
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Ostrom
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019370:Observation; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013607:Tablets / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013663:Teaching
chemical_list: D013607:Tablets