Clinical characteristics of acute dysphagia in pediatric patients following traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Primary Objective: To document the clinical characteristics of acute dysphagia in a group of pediatric patients after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Research Design: Prospective group study. Methods: Fourteen subjects (7 males, 7 females), aged 4 years 1 month to 15 years, with moderate or severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] < 12). Subjects were assessed via clinical bedside examination documenting cognitive status, oromotor function, feeding function, dietary recommendations, and an indication of overall feeding severity. Results: A pattern of impaired cognition, altered behavior related to feeding, severe tonal and postural deficits, oromotor, respiratory, and laryngeal impairments, and or..