Incidence and description of dysphagia in infants and toddlers with tracheostomies: a retrospective review.
OBJECTIVE
An increasing number of infants and toddlers with tracheostomies were identified at a large paediatric referral hospital in South Africa. They are at risk for swallowing and feeding difficulties, however, there is limited literature reporting the incidence and describing the dysphagia in this population, and no literature specific to a developing country. The purpose of this study was therefore to report the incidence and describe the dysphagia in infants and toddlers with tracheostomies at a large paediatric referral hospital in South Africa.


METHODS
A retrospective, descriptive review of the medical records of 80 infants and toddlers (0-3 years) with tracheostomies between 2002 and 2004 was conducted.


RESULTS
Eighty percent (64/80) of the participants presented with dysphagic symptoms. Oral phase dysphagia was reported in 81.25% (52/64), pharyngeal phase dysphagia in 60.9% (39/64) and oesophageal phase dysphagia in 79.7% of the dysphagic participants.


CONCLUSIONS
Infants and toddlers with tracheostomies are at increased risk for dysphagia. Multiple risk factors for dysphagia associated with tracheostomies, underlying medical conditions and the context of a developing country were identified in the study population.
Norman
Vivienne
V
Department of Communication Pathology, University of Pretoria, Lynnwood Road, Brooklyn, Pretoria 0002, South Africa. vnorman@xsinet.co.za
Louw
Brenda
B
Kritzinger
Alta
A
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects*