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Swallowing and respiratory distress in hospitalized patients with bronchiolitis

Alberto Maffey1, Teresita Moviglia, Catalina Mirabello

  • 1Respiratory Center, Ricardo Gutiérrez Children's Hospital, Gallo 1330 (1425), Buenos Aires, Argentina, amaffey@gmail.com.

Dysphagia
|May 22, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This study found no airway or pulmonary aspiration in infants hospitalized with moderate respiratory distress from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis. Swallowing evaluations were normal, indicating aspiration is unlikely in these cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Pulmonology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis commonly causes moderate respiratory distress in infants.
  • The risk of aspiration (food or saliva) in these infants is not well-established.
  • Understanding aspiration risk is crucial for appropriate clinical management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the risk of airway and/or pulmonary aspiration in infants hospitalized with moderate respiratory distress due to RSV bronchiolitis.
  • To assess swallowing function in infants experiencing their first wheezing episode.
  • To determine if aspiration occurs in infants with moderate RSV bronchiolitis.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, descriptive study conducted over two RSV seasons.
  • Inclusion criteria: otherwise healthy infants, first wheezing episode, modified Tal clinical score 5-9.
  • Swallowing evaluation via technetium-99m colloid radionuclide salivagram and video fluoroscopy with contrast material.

Main Results:

  • Fifteen infants (mean age 4.3 months) were included.
  • All swallowing studies (salivagram and video fluoroscopy) were normal.
  • No episodes of aspiration or laryngeal penetration were detected in any patient.

Conclusions:

  • Infants hospitalized with moderate respiratory distress from RSV bronchiolitis do not appear to aspirate.
  • Swallowing function is preserved in this patient population.
  • Further research may explore aspiration in more severe cases or different etiologies.

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