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Laryngeal penetration: a predictor of aspiration in infants?
P B Delzell1, R A Kraus, G Gaisie
1Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron, 1 Perkins Square, Akron, OH 44308, USA.
Background:
We routinely observed "isolated" laryngeal penetration (ILP) on upper GI studies in infants with no risk for aspiration.
Objective:
To determine whether "isolated" LP (LP during the pharyngeal phase of swallowing) is a benign process in infants and therefore not a predictor of aspiration as it is known to be in adults.
Patients And Methods:
Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed videotaped upper GI studies done over a 2-year period on patients less than 2 years of age. A total of 110 studies was reviewed, which produced a study group of 34 patients who had no history or clinical suspicion for swallowing dysfunction.
Results:
Of the 34 patients in the group, 33 demonstrated ILP without radiographic or clinical evidence of aspiration.
Conclusion:
ILP is a benign, normal process in infants likely due to immaturity of the swallowing mechanism. It is not a reliable predictor of aspiration as it is in adults.