Quantitative video-fluoroscopic analysis of swallowing in infants

To utilize objective, quantitative videofluoroscopic swallow measures to profile swallowing in infants and to determine the likelihood of objective swallow measures to predict risk of swallow impairments such as airway violation, reflux and post swallow residue.

Our single center retrospective observational study used a cohort of 146 bottle-fed infants (0-9 months) referred for VFSS with any kind of feeding related concern. Frame-by-frame analysis of 20-s video loops of mid-feed sucking was completed to obtain quantitative timing, displacement and coordination measures as well as presence of other findings including aspiration, residue and naso-pharyngeal reflux (NPR) and esophago-pharyngeal reflux (EPR). Spearman correlation, Mann-Whitney U test and binomial logistic regression were conducted to determine statistical associations between swallow measures and binary reporting of swallow impairments.

Videofluoroscopic data of 146 infants were reviewed and analyzed. 49% of infants demonstrated at least one penetration or aspiration event. Total pharyngeal transit time (TPT) and suck-swallow ratio were associated with aspiration (p < .05). Infants with >3 sucks per swallow had significantly longer TPT and their risk of aspiration was greater than those with <3 sucks per swallow (RR 1.23, 95% CI 0.43-8.507, p = .03). Pharyngeal constriction ratio (PCR) and bolus clearance ratio (BCR) were associated with residue, NPR and EPR (p < .05).

Objective measures provide clinicians with reliable timing and displacement data even in the very young. These measures correlate with swallowing safety and may help to identify enhanced risk in some infants, which may influence management recommendations.