Silent Oropharyngeal Aspiration Is Common in Children with Feeding Difficulties

Most children with OPA had silent aspiration.

Oropharyngeal aspiration (OPA) is characterized by aspiration of food, liquids, or both below the level of the vocal cords. Early diagnosis and management of OPA can prevent chronic lung disease, but OPA can be overt (associated with cough) or silent (no cough or clinical response to aspiration), making it difficult to detect. To examine the prevalence and risk factors for OPA, researchers prospectively evaluated videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VSS) in 300 children and young adults (age range, 3 months to 21 years) with feeding difficulties.

OPA was diagnosed in 34% of patients; 81% of these patients had silent OPA. Patients with OPA (solid, liquid, or both) were significantly more likely than children without OPA to have developmental de…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)