Pediatric Dysphagia: Unraveling the Swallow With Otolaryngology, Gastroenterology, and Speech-Language Pathology Considerations

Sunday, September 29, 2024

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM EDT

Location: MBCC, Art Deco 228AB

CME/MOC Credit: 1

Disclosure(s):

Nancy M. Bauman, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Pamela A. Mudd, MD, MBA:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Sona Sehgal, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: This multidisciplinary panel reviews the normal infant swallow and the evaluation and treatment of pediatric dysphagia through the perspectives of pediatric otolaryngologists, a speech and language pathologist and gastroenterologist, all of whom specialize in treating pediatric dysphagia in a tertiary care, free standing children’s hospital. Case reports and videos illustrate the types of pediatric dysphagia, diagnostic tests and management strategies.
Pediatric dysphagia can occur alone but often occurs with comorbidities and is classified as oral, pharyngeal, (including aspiration and penetration), oropharyngeal (combined oral and pharyngeal) and esophageal. Etiologies include sensory, motor, anatomic, psychosocial, developmental and/or unidentifiable causes.
Our panel's otolaryngologists will review normal swallow physiology and discuss the surgically treatable causes of dysphagia including laryngomalacia, immobile vocal cord, post cricoid vascular cushion and laryngeal clefts.
Our speech and language pathologist will discuss the subtle, and not so subtle, cues of feeding disorders, the utility of instrumental tools of feeding assessment, and compensatory feeding strategies that are critical to maintain some degree of oral intake in developing patients.
Our gastroenterologist will discuss GI causes of dysphagia including cow’s milk protein allergy, eosinophilic esophagitis and extraesophageal reflux disease emphasizing considerations for formula change before prescribing anti-reflux medication.
We will review the “IDDSI” (International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative) and “FOIS” (Functional Oral Intake Scale) of dysphagia management.
With thoughtful consideration, many pediatric patients with dysphagia can continue some form of oral alimentation for both nutritional and social benefits. We invite you to join us and further explore this problematic, enigmatic condition.

Learning Objectives:

To recognize the surgically treatable causes of dysphagia in pediatric patients, particularly in infants.
To understand the speech and language pathologists approach to diagnosing and managing pediatric dysphagia.
To improve our understanding of the gastroenterologist's approach to managing dysphagia and to recognize that anti-reflux medications play a smaller role in managing dysphagia compared to once recognized.

Moderator(s)

NB

Nancy M. Bauman, MD

Physician, Director of Aerodigestive Clinic
Children's National Hospital
Washington, DC, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Panelist(s)

Pamela A. Mudd, MD, MBA

Associate Professor
Children's National Medical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
CL

Courtney Long, M.Ed. CCC-SLP, CLC

Speech-Language Pathologist
Children's National Hospital

Disclosure information not submitted.
SS

Sona Sehgal, MD

Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatric Gastroenterology
Children's National Medical Center
Washington, DC, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.