Incidence, characteristics, and predictive factors for dysphagia after pediatric traumatic brain injury

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: (1) To establish an incidence figure for dysphagia in a population of pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases; (2) to provide descriptive data on the admitting characteristics, patterns of resolution, and outcomes of children with and without dysphagia after TBI; and (3) to identify any factors present at admission that may predict dysphagia. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1,145 children consecutively admitted to an acute care setting for traumatic brain injury between July 1995 and July 2000. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Medical parameters relating to dysphagia based on medical chart review. RESULTS: (1) Dysphagia incidence figure of 5.3% across all pediatric head injury admissions. Inci..