What are some
signs or
symptoms of feeding and swallowing disorders in children?
Children with
feeding and
swallowing problems have a wide variety of symptoms. Not all signs and
symptoms
are present in every child.
The following
are signs and
symptoms of feeding and swallowing problems in young children:
- arching or
stiffening of the body during feeding
- irritability or
lack of alertness during feeding
- refusing food
or liquid
- failure to
accept different textures of food (e.g., only pureed foods or crunchy
cereals)
- long feeding
times (e.g., more than 30 minutes)
- difficulty chewing
- difficulty
breast feeding
- coughing or
gagging during meals
- excessive
drooling or food/liquid coming out of the mouth or nose
- difficulty
coordinating breathing with eating and drinking
- increased stuffiness
during meals
- gurgly, hoarse,
or breathy voice quality
- frequent
spitting up or vomiting
- recurring
pneumonia or respiratory infections
- less than
normal weight gain or growth
As a result,
children
may be at risk for:
- dehydration or
poor nutrition
- aspiration (food or
liquid entering the airway)
- pneumonia or
repeated upper respiratory infections that can lead to chronic lung
disease
- embarrassment
or isolation in social situations involving eating
Source: ASHA's
guide to Feeding and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia) in Children |
