Parent perception of the impact of using thickened fluids in children with dysphagia

Oropharyngeal dysphagia occurs in children without known neurological disorders, increasing their risk for respiratory problems and inadequate intake. Clinicians may recommend thickening nutritive fluids; however, there is little research regarding the impact of thickening nutritive fluids on clinical outcomes in children.

We used a parental reporting tool to determine whether parents identified changes in signs of dysphagia or volume of intake when thickened fluids were incorporated into an individualized feeding program for dysphagic children without known neurological problems. Fifty-five children diagnosed with dysphagia, for whom thickened fluids had been recommended per radiographic and clinical exam, qualified for the study. Parents of 44 children (24 females, 20 males) aged 2 weeks to 14 months completed baseline and post-thickening (within 90 days) rating scales.

Compared to baseline, parents reported significant decreases in the frequency of apnea (W = -219, P < 0.0001, r = 0.399), congestion (W = -450, P < 0.0001, r = 0.579), coughing/choking with drinking (W = -485, P < 0.0001, r = 0.603), resistance to feeding (W = -344.5, P < 0.0001, r = 0.476), vomiting during feeding (W = -409, P < 0.0001, r = 0.565), and wheezing (W = -337, P < 0.001, r = 0.449). For those children whose parents initially reported inadequate levels of intake, there was a significant (Z = 3.15, P = 0.0029, r = 0.47) increase (+49.63 mm) in the rated adequacy of liquid intake, as well as a significant increase (+1.41 oz.) in the estimated volume per feeding (Z = 224, P = 0.29, r = 0.33).

These results provide information for clinicians and physicians to incorporate when considering the use of thickened fluids in the dysphagia management of children without a known neurological diagnosis.