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Updated: Aug 13, 2025
Adapting Human Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Methods to Detect and Characterize Dysphagia in Murine Disease Models
Published on: March 1, 2015
Dysphagia and Lung Disease in Children With Spinal Muscular Atrophy Treated With Disease-Modifying Agents
Archana Chacko1, Jeanne Marshall2, Olivia Taylor2
1From the Centre for Child Health Research (A.C., P.D.S., L.M.G.), University of Queensland; Queensland Respiratory and Sleep Department (A.C., L.M.G.); Speech Pathology Department (J. Marshall, O.T.), Queensland Children's Hospital; School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (J. Marshall), The University of Queensland; Radiology Department (J. McEniery), Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. archana.bodapati@hotmail.com.
Objectives:
Disease-modifying agents (DMAs) for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) have evolved the SMA phenotype with improved survival. Ongoing oropharyngeal dysphagia and respiratory complications are reported. The extent of dysphagia and respiratory morbidity in this population, since DMAs' introduction, has not been well described.
Methods:
A whole-population study involved all children with treated SMA types 1-3 in our facility. Videofluoroscopic swallow studies (type 1 alone), chest CT scans, and clinical data were collected.
Results:
Thirty-six children were included (n = 9 type 1, n = 14 type 2, and n = 13 type 3; age range 0.3-15.4 years). Abnormal swallowing characteristics were demonstrated in all children with type 1 (n = 8; 100%). Bronchiectasis was found on chest CT: 3 of 9 (33.3%), 2 of 14 (14.3%), and 2 of 13 (15.4%) of type 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Atelectasis, mucus plugging, bronchial wall thickening, and parenchymal changes were common.
Discussion:
Swallow impairments were universal in children with type 1. Bronchiectasis was common in all pediatric SMA types, with a prevalence of 1 in 5. Routine monitoring and management of dysphagia/recurrent respiratory infection should be implemented for improvement in lung health.
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