| Abstract |
Background:
Feeding disorders or dysphagia characterized by any disorder or dysfunction occur during one or more stages of normal swallow. The normal swallowing stages are four. Oral preparatory stage, oral stage, pharyngeal stage and esophageal stage. Dysphagia is not an independent disorder but a cluster of symptoms which occur under the prism of a general medical condition. The symptoms of dysphagia are plenty and depends on the stage dysfunctions.
Aim:
The aim of this study is the identification and registration of pediatric cases which develop feeding and swallowing disorders with underling neurological disorders. Investigated also the frequency of children with feeding and swallowing disorders, the demographic characteristic of the study population and the frequency of core symptoms of dysphagia.
Methodology:
A cross-sectional observation study with 140 children population and adolescents with neurological disorders who visit one of the two pediatric neurologists of Venizelio General Hospital of Heraklion between October – December 2014. Dysphagia clinical symptoms were reported by parents - carers via questionnaire and ICD-10 used to classify the diagnosis (ICD-10 English Version 2015).
Public Health & Health Care Management
Faculty of Medicine – University of Crete
4
Results:
28,6% of the study population were observed with feeding and swallowing difficulties, 12,9% developed 1-3 symptoms and 15,7% developed at least 4 symptoms. Diseases of the nervous system (50%) and mental and behavioural disorders (25,7%) are the two most common diagnosis. Two of three participants with weight loss present dysphagia symptoms while participants with weight loss (66,7%) present 1-3 dysphagia symptoms. Finally, 30% of participants who receive chronic pharmaceutical therapy for any medical condition and present suggestive dysphagia facing at least 4 symptoms.
Discussion – Conclusion:
Until today any past published study in Greece, known to us, present data which describe the prevalence of any stage of dysphagia in children and adolescents. Similar studies internationally focus on the improvement of quality of life, on diminishing the respiratory infections which can lead to death and on the proper management of public health costs which can decreased dramatically if programs for prevention and intervention of feeding and swallowing disorders will start to develop.
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Διαταραχές σίτισης και κατάποσης σε παιδιά με νευρολογικές διαταραχές : μια πρώτη καταγραφή στην Περιφέρεια της Κρήτης
