DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT APPROACH TO PEDIATRIC DYSPHAGIA: A CASE REPORT

Thục Lưu Thị Mỹ, Hồng Nguyễn Thị Thúy, Minh Nguyễn Hồng, Ngọc Bùi Thị Khánh, Ánh Doãn Ngọc

Main Article Content

Abstract

Dysphagia is the difficulty in processing and transporting liquid or solid boluses through the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, or at the esophagogastric junction. Currently, the diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia remain challenging, especially in pediatric patients. We report the case of a 4‑month‑old female infant with severe malnutrition and feeding refusal (refusing formula, breast milk, breastfeeding, bottle‑feeding, and spoon‑feeding), a history of recurrent pneumonia, and abnormal respiratory sounds. A videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS)/modified barium swallow (MBS) was used to definitively diagnose dysphagia. The underlying cause was identified by bronchoscopy. The infant was managed with a texture‑modified diet and traditional medicine. After three months, she had gained weight, no longer refused feeds, and experienced no further pneumonia. Conclusion: Videofluoroscopic swallow study is feasible in pediatric patients. Texture‑modified diets and traditional medicine may be valuable in treating pediatric dysphagia.

Article Details

References

1. Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Accessed December 7, 2024. https://www.asha.org/ practice-portal/clinical-topics/pediatric-feeding-and-swallowing/
2. Lawlor CM, Choi S. Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Dysphagia: A Review. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020;146(2):183-191. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2019.3622
3. Michael E.Groher, Michaeal A. Crary. Dysphagia Clinical Management in Adults and Children.
4. van den Engel-Hoek L, de Groot IJM, de Swart BJM, Erasmus CE. Feeding and Swallowing Disorders in Pediatric Neuromuscular Diseases: An Overview. J Neuromuscul Dis. 2015;2(4):357-369. doi:10.3233/JND-150122
5. Umay E, Eyigor S, Giray E, et al. Pediatric dysphagia overview: best practice recommendation study by multidisciplinary experts. World J Pediatr. 2022;18(11):715-724. doi:10.1007/s12519-022-00584-8
6. Dodrill P, Gosa MM. Pediatric Dysphagia: Physiology, Assessment, and Management. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism. 2015;66(Suppl. 5):24-31. doi:10.1159/000381372
7. ESR Member Area. Accessed April 10, 2025. https://portal.myesr.org/esr/membership/publicposter/63a2aca3-f13f-4d7a-9d59-8f809bca0a9a/show
8. Elbuluk O, Shiba T, Shapiro NL. Laryngomalacia presenting as recurrent croup in an infant. Case Rep Otolaryngol. 2013;2013:649203. doi:10.1155/2013/649203
9. Thorne MC, Garetz SL. Laryngomalacia: Review and Summary of Current Clinical Practice in 2015. Paediatr Respir Rev. 2016;17:3-8. doi:10.1016/j.prrv.2015.02.002
10. Klinginsmith M, Winters R, Goldman J. Laryngomalacia. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2025. Accessed April 10, 2025. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544266/