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Anatomy, physiology, and development of feeding
J C Arvedson1, M A Lefton-Greif
1Speech-Language-Hearing Department, Children's Hospital of Buffalo, NY 14222, USA.
Insights
Pediatric dysphagia is a complex issue often linked to other health problems in children. Understanding normal feeding development is key to assessing and managing this condition effectively.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric medicine
- Developmental biology
- Clinical nutrition
Background:
- Dysphagia in children is frequently associated with broader medical, developmental, and health challenges.
- Improved infant survival rates correlate with a rise in impairments affecting nutrition and feeding.
- Diverse etiologies contribute to varied prognoses for pediatric dysphagia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To underscore the multifaceted nature of pediatric dysphagia.
- To highlight the importance of understanding normal feeding development.
- To emphasize the foundational knowledge required for dysphagia assessment and management.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on pediatric dysphagia.
- Analysis of the relationship between survival rates and associated impairments.
- Synthesis of knowledge regarding anatomy, physiology, and feeding skill development.
Main Results:
- Pediatric dysphagia is rarely an isolated condition.
- Neurologic, cardiorespiratory, and structural impairments significantly impact feeding.
- Normal development of feeding skills is crucial for effective intervention.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of pediatric dysphagia requires a comprehensive understanding of its complex origins.
- Foundational knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and developmental feeding is essential for clinicians.
- Addressing associated medical and developmental issues is integral to improving outcomes for children with dysphagia.
Abstract:
Dysphagia in infants and children is usually only one part of a broad spectrum of complex medical, health, and developmental problems. As etiologies vary, so do prognoses. Increased survival rates of infants in recent years have been accompanied by an increased prevalence of neurologic, cardiorespiratory, and structural impairments that can affect nutritional status and feeding function. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and normal development of feeding skills is basic to the assessment and management of pediatric dysphagia.