title: Analysis of carbonated thin liquids in pediatric neurogenic dysphagia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aspiration of liquids is a serious complication of neurological impairments such as traumatic brain injury or stroke. Carbonated liquids have been examined as a possible alternative to thickened liquids to help reduce aspiration in cases of dysphagia in adults, but no published literature to the best of our knowledge has evaluated this technique in children. If carbonated liquids result in safer swallowing in children, they could provide a preferred alternative to thickened liquids.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This pilot study examined whether carbonated thin liquids (CARB) improved swallowing compared to non-carbonated thin liquids (NOCARB) for children with neurogenic dysphagia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four children admitted to a level I trauma center for acute neurological injury/disease were evaluated via videofluoroscopic swallow studies. Four descriptive outcome measures were contrasted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CARB significantly decreased pooling (P = 0.0006), laryngeal penetration/aspiration (P = 0.0044) and Penetration-Aspiration Scale scores (P = 0.0127) when compared to NOCARB. On average, CARB improved scores on the Penetration-Aspiration Scale by 3.7 points for participants who aspirated NOCARB. There was no significant difference in pharyngeal residue noted between CARB and NOCARB (P = 0.0625).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings support the hypothesis that carbonated thin liquids may provide an alternative to thickened liquids for children with neurogenic dysphagia. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech Pathology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA, jennifer.lundine@nationwidechildrens.org.
authors.forename: Jennifer P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lundine
authors.forename: D Gregory
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Bates
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Bates
authors.forename: Han
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003679:Deglutition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D053120:Respiratory Aspiration / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014741:Video Recording / Q000379:methods