ASSESSMENT OF RISK-FACTORS FOR PNEUMONIA IN DYSPHAGIC CHILDREN - SIGNIFICANCE OF VIDEOFLUOROSCOPIC SWALLOWING EVALUATION

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between aspiration, as identified by videofluoroscopic swallowing (VFS) study, and pneumonia in children with suspected dysphagia. Data were retrosp ectively collected and analysed from 142 children referred for VFS ove r a one-year period. The median age was 33 months. Aspiration was iden tified in 44 per cent of the children studied. A history of pneumonia within one year of the VFS was found in 35 per cent. Aspiration, gastr o-oesophageal reflux, and age one year or less were significant risk f actors for pneumonia. Children with traumatic brain-injury were at les s risk for pneumonia than all other children with suspected dysphagia. These results lend objective support to the previously suspected rela tionship between aspiration and pneumonia in this patient population.