Selen Serel Arslan

Both pharyngeal and esophageal phases of swallowing are associated with recurrent pneumonia in pediatric patients.

One of the underlying causes of recurrent pneumonia in children is swallowing dysfunction, with aspiration syndrome. Swallowing dysfunction should be considered not only a problem of the oropharyngeal phase but also a problem of the esophageal phase.

The Pediatric Version of the Eating Assessment Tool: a caregiver administered dyphagia-specific outcome instrument for children

Abstract Purpose: To develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Pediatric version of the caregiver administered Eating Assessment Tool. Methods: The study included developmental phase and reported content, criterion validity, internal consistency and test–retest reliability of the Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool. Literature review and the original Eating Assessment Tool were used for line-item generation. Expert consensus assessed the items for content validity over two Delphi rounds. Fifty-one healthy children to obtain normative data and 138 children with cerebral palsy to evaluate test–retest reliability, internal consistency, and criterion validity were included. The Penetration-Aspiration Scale was used to assess criterion validity. Results: All items were found to be necessary. Content validity index was 0.91. The mean score of Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool for healthy children and children with cerebral palsy was 0.26 ± 1.83 and 19.5 ± 11, respectively. The internal consistency was high with Cronbach’s alpha =0.87 for test and retest. An excellent correlation between the Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool and Penetration-Aspiration score for liquid and pudding swallowing was found (p < 0.001, r = 0.77; p < 0.001, r = 0.83, respectively). A score >4 demonstrated a sensitivity of 91.3% and specificity of 98.8% to predict penetration/aspiration. Conclusions: The Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool was shown to be a valid and reliable tool to determine penetration/aspiration risk in children. Implications for rehabilitation The pediatric eating assessment tool: a new dyphagia-specific outcome survey for children. The Pediatric Version of the Eating Assessment Tool is a dysphagia specific, parent report outcome instrument to determine penetration/aspiration risk in children. The Pediatric Version of the Eating Assessment Tool has good internal consistency, test–retest reliability and criterion-based validity. The Pediatric Version of the Eating Assessment Tool may be utilized as a clinical instrument to assess the need for further instrumental evaluation of swallowing function in children.

Effect of a new treatment protocol called Functional Chewing Training on chewing function in children with cerebral palsy: a double-blind randomised controlled trial

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of permanent sensorimotor impairments. Children with CP have various feeding difficulties including chewing disorder, which may affect their nutritional status. Functional Chewing Training (FuCT) was designed as a holistic approach to improve chewing function by providing postural alignment, sensory and motor training, and food and environmental adjustments. This study aimed to investigate the effect of FuCT on chewing function in children with CP. This study was designed as a double-blind, randomised controlled trial. Eighty CP children with chewing disorder were randomised and split between the FuCT group (31 males, 19 females; mean age 3·5 ± 1·9 years) and the control group (16 males, 14 females; 3·4 ± 2·3 years) receiving traditional oral motor exercises. Each group received the training programme for 12 weeks with weekly follow-up and with two evaluations at baseline and end of 12 weeks. Chewing function was evaluated by analysing video recordings and scored with the Karaduman Chewing Performance Scale (KCPS). The Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS) was used to evaluate feeding behaviours of children. A significant improvement was observed in KCPS scores at 12 weeks after training in the FuCT group (P < 0·001), but no change was found in the control group (P = 0·07). A significant improvement was detected in all parameters of BPFAS at 12 weeks after training in the FuCT group (P < 0·001) and in four parameters of BPFAS in the control group (P = 0·02, P = 0·02). FuCT is an effective method to improve chewing function compared with traditional oral motor exercises.

The Ability of the Eating Assessment Tool-10 to Detect Aspiration in Patients With Neurological Disorders

Background/Aims Dysphagia is common in patients with neurological disorders. There is a need to identify patients at risk early by a useful clinical tool to prevent its serious complications. The study aims to determine the ability of the Turkish version of Eating Assessment Tool-10 (T-EAT-10) to detect aspiration in patients with neurological disorders. Methods Two hundred fifty-nine patients with neurological disorders who had complaints about swallowing difficulty and referred for a swallowing evaluation were included. Oropharyngeal dysphagia was evaluated with the T-EAT-10 and videofluoroscopic swallowing study in the same day. The penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) was used to document the penetration and aspiration severity. Results The mean age of the patients was 59.72 ± 17.24 years (minimum [min] = 18, maximum [max] = 96), of which 57.1% were male. The mean T-EAT-10 of patients who had aspiration (PAS > 5) was 25.91 ± 10.31 (min = 1, max = 40) and the mean T-EAT-10 of patients who did not have aspiration (PAS < 6) was 15.70 ± 10.54 (min = 0, max = 40) (P < 0.001). Patients with a T-EAT-10 score higher than 15 were 2.4 times more likely to aspirate. A linear correlation was found between T-EAT-10 and PAS scores of the patients (r = 0.416, P < 0.001). The sensitivity of a T-EAT-10 higher than 15 in detecting aspiration was 81.0% and the specificity was 58.0%. A T-EAT-10 score of higher than 15 has a positive predictive value of 72.0% and a negative predictive value of 69.0%. Conclusion The T-EAT-10 can be used to detect unsafe airway protection in neurology clinics to identify and refer dysphagic patients for further evaluation.

Effect of Swallowing Rehabilitation Protocol on Swallowing Function in Patients with Esophageal Atresia and/or Tracheoesophageal Fistula

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of Swallowing Rehabilitation Protocol (SRP) on swallowing function (SF) of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula (EA‐TEF) patients with pharyngeal swallowing disorder. Materials and Methods In this study, 24 children with EA‐TEF who had deglutitive and respiratory problems were grouped into either study (n = 12) or control group (n = 12) by basic randomization. Study group received the SRP including neuromuscular electrical stimulation, thermal tactile stimulation, and hyolaryngeal mobilization. The control group received nonnutritive stimulations. SF was evaluated with 3 mL liquid and pudding barium by videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) before and after 20 sessions of interventions. Results No statistical differences were found between groups in terms of descriptive characteristics including age, sex, weight, height, type of atresia, repair type, repair time, and start time of oral intake (p > 0.05). There were no statistical differences between groups in term of swallowing parameters (p > 0.05), except reflux (p = 0.004) according to VFSS findings. After 20 sessions of interventions, the study group showed improvement in penetration‐aspiration scale scores, oral phase dysfunction, delay in swallowing reflex, and residue in valleculae and pyriform sinuses after pudding swallow. The control group showed improvement only in oral phase dysfunction. Conclusion SRP can be recommended to improve SF in patients with EA/TEF who have pharyngeal swallowing disorders.

The pediatric version of the eating assessment tool-10 has discriminant ability to detect aspiration in children with neurological impairments

The aim of this study was to determine the ability of the Pediatric version of the Eating Assessment Tool‐10 (PEDI‐EAT‐10) to detect aspiration in children with neurological impairments.

Chewing side preference is associated with hemispheric laterality in healthy adults

Abstract Purpose To investigate if chewing side preference (CSP) can be used as an indicator of hemispheric laterality in healthy adults. Materials and methods Seventy-five individuals were included. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to determine CSP and laterality test for preferred peripheral organs. Results Significant correlation between CSP and hand, foot, ear, and eye side preference was found (r = .41, p < .001; r = .34, p = .003; r = .35, p = .03; r = .36, p = .002). Conclusion Besides peripheral organs, the CSP can also be used in determination of hemispheric lateralization.

Chewing Function in Children with Repaired Esophageal Atresia–Tracheoesophageal Fistula

Introduction Feeding problems are common in children with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula (EA‐TEF); however, chewing disorders, which may cause inability to intake solid food, have not been evaluated. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the chewing function in children with repaired EA‐TEF. Materials and Methods Age, sex, the type of atresia, the type of repair, and the time to start oral feeding were recorded. The level of the chewing performance was scored according to the Karaduman Chewing Performance Scale (KCPS). The International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) was used to determine the tolerated food texture in children. Results A group of 30 patients were included, of which 53.3% was male. The percentages of the isolated‐EA and that of the EA‐distal TEF were 40% and 60%, respectively. The median value for the time to start oral feeding was 4.5 weeks (min = 1, max = 72). Eleven (36.7%) children had chewing disorder. The KCPS scores showed level I in six cases, level III in four cases, and level IV in one case. Five children with chewing disorder had IDDSI level 3 and six had level 7, along with the sensation of stuck food. We found no significant difference between the KCPS scores according to the repair type (p = 0.07). The median values of the KCPS scores of children with primary repair, delayed repair, and colon interposition were 0 (min = 0, max = 4), 0.5 (min = 0, max = 3), 2 (min = 0, max = 3), respectively. A significant positive correlation was found between the time to start oral feeding and the KCPS scores (r = 0.63, p = 0.001). Conclusion Chewing disorders can be observed in children with EA‐TEF, and the type of repair and the delay in oral feeding may be related to chewing disorder. Therapeutic maneuvers are needed to improve the chewing function in children with EA‐TEF.

Swallowing Therapy for a Case of Congenital Absence of the Epiglottis

Epiglottis laringeal elevasyon sirasinda vestibulu kapatarak, yutma esnasinda hava yoluna besin kacmasini engellemede onemli bir rol oynamaktadir. Epiglottisin olmadigi durumda, hava yolu kapanisi sekteye ugrayabilir. Pierre Robin Sendrom’lu (PRS) hastalarda epiglottis yoklugu nadir gorulmektedir. Burada epiglottis’i olmayan bir PRS vakasini ve tedavi uygulamalarinin sonucunu sunulacaktir. PRS teshisi konmus erkek infant 3 kg dogum agirligina ve sezaryen dogum hikayesine sahipti. Vaka 11 aylikken aspirasyon pnomonisi hikayesi sebebiyle Hacetttepe Universitesi Fizyoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Bolumu, Yutma Bozukluklari Unitesine yonlendirilmistir. Ilk once fiberoptik endoskopik yutma degerlendirilmesi (FEYD) yapilmis ve epiglottis yoklugu farkedilmistir. FEYD sirasindaki rahatsizlik hissi nedeniyle, daha detayli bir yutma degerlendirilmesi icin videofluoroskopik yutma degerlendirilmesi (VFYD) gerceklestirilmis ve aspirasyon gorulmustur. VFYD’den sonra hastaya nazogastrik tup takilmis ve 2 aylik bir yutma rehabilitasyon programina baslanmistir. Program dahilinde yutma refleksini tetiklemek amaciyla termal taktil stimulasyon, hyolaringeal elevasyonu artirmak icin laringeal mobilizasyon ve noromuskuler elektrik stimulasyonu uygulanmistir. Rehabilitasyon sonrasi VFYD tekrarlanmistir. Sivi kivamlarda aspirasyonun devem ettigi ancak puding kivaminin tolere edildigi goruldu. Degerlendirme sonrasinda sivi kisitli oral alima baslandi. Epiglottisi olmayan hastalarda, erken teshis ve tedavi yaklasimlari cok onemlidir.

Clinical Characteristics of Oral Structures and Feeding Function in Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

Purpose: The aim was to investigate the characteristics of oral structures and feeding in pa tients with Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE). Methods: Twenty SSPE patients were included. Clinical evaluation of oral structures and oral hygiene were performed. Each patient was requested to take liquid, pudding and solid food consistencies during feeding evaluation. The Karaduman Chewing Performance Scale (KCPS) was used to determine the level of chewing function. The 3-ounce water swallow test was used to screen patients for aspiration risk. Results: The mean age was 13.76±1.92 years, of which 55% were male. Seven children (35%) had open mouth posture at rest, 5 (25%) had open bite, 12 (60%) had high arched palate, and 8 (40%) had tongue thrust. Eighteen children (90%) had oral hygiene problems. Feeding positions were variable with 1 child fed in supine, 6 in semi-sitting position, and 13 in upright sitting position. Findings during clinical feeding evaluation revealed the following: food acceptance (20, 100%), liquid intake (20, 80%), pudding intake (17, 85%), and solid food intake (5, 25%). Five children (25%) were in level I, 7 children (35%) were in level II, 3 children (15%) were in level III, and 5 children (25%) were in level IV according to the KCPS. Four children (25%) failed in 3 ounce water swallow test. Discussion: Problems with oral structures, oral hygiene, chewing and swallowing function can be seen in SSPE patients. Thus, clinical oral structure and feeding functions should be conside red to evaluate in routine evaluation procedure in patients with SSPE.