[FEES in Infants with Swallowing Disorders - A Feasible Procedure?].

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Medicine
• Otolaryngology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Fiberoptic endoscopic examination of swallowing (FEES) is validated for children but its use in infants requires further clarification.
• Infant swallowing disorders necessitate reliable diagnostic tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and limitations of FEES in infants.
• To assess the diagnostic utility of a modified FEES algorithm in a pediatric population.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 27 infants from a neuropediatric hospital.
• Modified FEES algorithm applied from November 2011 to March 2015.
• Utilized the Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS) for grading.

Main Results:

• Diagnostic information on swallowing pathology was obtained in 24 out of 27 infants (89%).
• Silent aspiration (PAS 8) or deep penetration (PAS 5) occurred in 10 infants; overt deep penetration in 3.
• Direct visualization of the subglottis/trachea was not achieved, limiting aspiration differentiation.

Conclusions:

• Modified FEES is a feasible diagnostic tool for infant swallowing disorders in approximately 89% of cases.
• FEES in infants is limited in providing direct evidence of aspiration with deep diet penetration.
• FEES findings led to changes in feeding management for 7 infants.