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Updated: Jan 11, 2026
Adapting Human Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Methods to Detect and Characterize Dysphagia in Murine Disease Models
Published on: March 1, 2015
[Screening of pediatric oropharyngeal dysphagia in cerebral palsy]
A Outón Arteaga1, P Díaz Borrego1
1Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, España.
Insights
Early screening for pediatric oropharyngeal dysphagia in cerebral palsy is crucial. The Pedi-EAT-10, EDACS scale, and Kristie L. Bell
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Swallowing Disorders
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) frequently co-occurs with oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD), impacting nutrition and respiration.
- A lack of standardized diagnostic protocols for pediatric OPD in CP hinders early detection.
- This gap necessitates the evaluation of available screening tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review of pediatric oropharyngeal dysphagia screening tools for cerebral palsy.
- To identify tools validated in Spanish for early detection.
- To describe their utility in clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search following PRISMA guidelines across major databases (PubMed, WOS, Cochrane, CINAHL).
- Inclusion of studies based on relevance and methodological quality.
- Analysis of 14 selected articles from an initial 993.
Main Results:
- The Pedi-EAT-10 questionnaire emerged as the most supported screening tool.
- The Eating Disorder Assessment by Clinical Staff (EDACS) scale and Kristie L. Bell's 4-item test were identified as useful clinical tools.
- Videofluoroscopy and fiberoptic endoscopy evaluation are key for diagnosis, but screening is vital for early risk identification.
Conclusions:
- Effective clinical screening is essential for early identification of pediatric OPD in CP.
- Validated screening tools, such as Pedi-EAT-10, EDACS, and Bell's test, aid in risk stratification.
- A structured, multidisciplinary approach combining screening and instrumental confirmation is recommended.
Abstract:
Cerebral palsy is frequently associated with oropharyngeal dysphagia, affecting two out of three cases. Despite its high prevalence and the risk of serious complications (nutritional and respiratory), there are no standardized diagnostic protocols for its early detection in the pediatric population, highlighting a gap in the literature and clinical practice. The aim of this scoping review was to identify and describe the pediatric oropharyngeal dysphagia screening tools for cerebral palsy that have been validated into Spanish. A systematic search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines in PubMed, WOS, Cochrane, and CINAHL, and studies were selected based on their relevance and methodological quality. Of 993 articles initially retrieved, 14 were included. Among the tools analyzed, the Pedi-EAT-10 questionnaire was the most-widely supported for screening. Likewise, the EDACS scale and Kristie L. Bell's 4-item test were also considered useful tools in clinical practice. While videofluoroscopy remains the gold standard for confirmatory diagnosis, and fiberoptic endoscopy evaluation represents a more accessible alternative, screening methods are essential to identify patients at risk early. In conclusion, the combination of effective clinical screening with instrumental confirmation constitutes the basis of a structured and multidisciplinary approach to pediatric oropharyngeal dysphagia in cerebral palsy.
