V. Khoshoo et al., Benefits of thickened feeds in previously healthy infants with respiratorysyncytial viral bronchiolitis, PEDIAT PULM, 31(4), 2001, pp. 301-302
Infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis have an increa
sed risk of aspiration. The optimal feeding strategy for these patients has
not been described. Fifteen previously healthy and clinically stable infan
ts with RSV bronchiolitis underwent video-fluoroscopy studies to assess swa
llowing using thin barium. Those with abnormal studies underwent a repeat s
tudy, using barium that was thickened with rice cereal.
Nine of 15 infants had abnormal studies with thin barium. Laryngeal or trac
heal penetration with thin barium was seen in 3 and 2 infants, respectively
, but not with thickened barium. Aspiration of thin barium was seen in 4 in
fants, but it corrected in 3 of these 4 infants with thickened barium.
Thickened feeds provide a simple, safe, and cost-effective intervention to
improve swallowing dysfunction and prevent aspiration in infants with RSV b
ronchiolitis. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.