Swallowing.

What is a swallowing disorder?

Swallowing disorders, also called dysphagia (dis-FAY-juh), can occur at different stages in the swallowing process.

What are the symptoms of a swallowing disorder?

For a variety of reasons babies and children have problems with feeding and eating at mealtimes. Children with feeding and swallowing problems can present with a wide variety of symptoms. Not all signs and symptoms are present in every child. The following are signs and symptoms of feeding and swallowing problems in very young children:

  • Problems with sucking and swallowing

  • Refusing the bottle/breast

  • Difficulty breastfeeding

  • Arching or stiffening of the body during feeding

  • Irritability or lack of alertness during feeding

  • Refusing food or liquid

  • Failure to accept different textures of food (e.g., only pureed foods
    or crunchy cereals)

  • Long feeding times (e.g., more than 30 minutes)

  • Difficulty chewing

  • Food refusal or only accepts limited types of foods

  • Coughing or gagging during meals

  • Excessive drooling or food/liquid coming out of the mouth or nose

  • Difficulty coordinating breathing with eating and drinking

  • Increased stuffiness during meals

  • Gurgly, hoarse, or breathy voice quality

  • Frequent spitting up or vomiting

What are some of the risks for a child with a swallowing disorder?

  • Dehydration or poor nutrition

  • Aspiration (food or liquid entering the airway) or penetration

  • Pneumonia or repeated upper respiratory infections that can lead
    to chronic lung disease

  • Embarrassment or isolation in social situations involving eating

  • Weight loss, less than normal weight gain or growth