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Updated: Oct 17, 2025
07:22
Minimally Invasive Murine Laryngoscopy for Close-Up Imaging of Laryngeal Motion During Breathing and Swallowing
Published on: December 1, 2023
703
Infants can breathe and swallow at the same time?
Joel A Vilensky1, Patricia Henton1, Carlos A Suárez-Quian2
1Doctoral Program in Occupational Therapy, Huntington University, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA.
Clinical Anatomy (New York, N.Y.)
|October 12, 2021
Summary
Newborns cannot breathe and swallow at the same time, contrary to a long-held belief. This study debunks the myth of simultaneous breathing and swallowing in infants, highlighting potential clinical risks.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- The concept of simultaneous breathing and swallowing in infants was popularized by Crelin and Laitman.
- This idea suggests distinct anatomical pathways allowing newborns to breathe and swallow concurrently.
- The propagation of this concept has persisted despite contradictory evidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the primary research supporting simultaneous infant breathing and swallowing.
- To investigate the reasons behind the widespread acceptance of this physiologically illogical concept.
- To address the potential negative clinical consequences stemming from this misconception.
Main Methods:
- Review of the seminal research article by Crelin and Laitman.
- Analysis of cited data for misrepresentations and inaccuracies.
- Examination of the persistence of the concept in scientific and popular literature.
Main Results:
- The primary research article supporting simultaneous breathing and swallowing was found to be unconvincing.
- Significant misrepresentations of prior data and self-presented data were identified.
- The concept has been widely disseminated in literature and online, persisting into the 21st century.
Conclusions:
- Newborns are physiologically incapable of simultaneous breathing and swallowing.
- The continued propagation of this myth may have negative clinical implications for infant care.
- A lack of comprehensive newborn anatomy education may contribute to the persistence of this misconception.
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