Ebook: Pediatric Dysphagia: Etiologies, Diagnosis, and Management

Pediatric Dysphagia: Etiologies, Diagnosis, and Management is a comprehensive professional reference on the topic of pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders. Given that these disorders derive from abnormalities in the function and/or structure of the airway and digestive systems, multiple clinical specialists may be involved in the evaluation and management of affected children at any given point in time. Therefore, this text includes significant contributions from a wide range of experts in pediatric dysphagia, including all members of the Interdisciplinary Feeding Team at Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center. These experts present an in-depth description of their roles in the diagnosis and management of dysphagic children, providing the reader with an understanding of why a multidisciplinary model of care is key to the optimization of outcomes.

Pediatric Dysphagia is divided into five parts. In Part I, readers are provided with an overview of the embryologic development of aerodigestive structures that relate to swallowing, an introduction to neural organization related to swallowing function and physiologic aspects of swallowing, a synopsis of oral motor development, a discussion of the various etiologic categories of feeding and swallowing disorders, and an overview of genetic disorders associated with feeding and swallowing issues. Part II covers the clinical and instrumental assessment of patients, including the interdisciplinary feeding team infrastructure and function, the roles of individual members of the feeding team, the specific diagnostic tests commonly used in the assessment of feeding and swallowing issues, the classification of neonatal intensive care units, and the assessment and management of feeding and swallowing issues encountered in the neonatal intensive care unit. Part III focuses on the management of pediatric dysphagia, covering a wide range of treatment strategies and interventions for children with various categories of feeding disorders. Part IV includes an introduction to the concept of evidence-based practice and the application of evidence-based strategies in the management of dysphagia. Part V presents a brief overview of the role of ethics in healthcare and ethical considerations in the treatment of dysphagic children.

In summary, the overall aim of this comprehensive text is to provide all pediatric professionals involved in the care of dysphagic patients with a basic understanding of the complexity of this disorder, the anatomic, neurologic, and physiologic components involved in this disorder, an overview of the diverse population of children who suffer with this disorder, and with a wide range of management approaches based on patient needs and capabilities. The authors also address clinical problem solving and decision making, inspiring readers to develop multidisciplinary models of care at their own institutions.

Reviews
"The text is well set out throughout, with headed paragraphs, nicely reproduced tables and line diagrams and a comprehensive index. [...] This book should have a very wide appeal, addressing as it does a largely neglected topic, which requires an input from a host of specialists. Its greatest value in our speciality will be to those training in, or with an established practice in, paediatric otolaryngology."
—Liam M. Flood, FRCS, FRCSI, in Journal of Laryngology & Otology (March 2020)

“This book is an up-to-date and comprehensive textbook that gives an in-depth understanding and management of all aspects relating to dysphagia. Members of the interdisciplinary team at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre, who have an extensive experience in the management of paediatric dysphagia, have authored it.
It is easy to read and lays firmly the foundations for understanding the embryological, physiological and anatomical components contributing to dysphagia. It continues to discuss clinical and instrumental dysphagia assessments in various settings, including neonatal intensive care. The text takes into account the need for a holistic multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis and management of this complex condition before moving on to cover a wide range of treatment strategies and interventions for children with various categories of dysphagia, taking into consideration current evidence and its role in decision making. It concludes with an overview on the role of ethics in treating children with dysphagia.
This textbook is aimed at all clinicians with a practice consisting of children with dysphagia resulting from a variety of aetiologies (paediatricians, paediatric ENT surgeons, paediatric surgeons and speech and language therapists). It is a useful guide for trainees as well and a great resource for those setting up paediatric dysphagia services within their units. The book is good value for money, and an up-to-date and evidence-based complete guide in the multidisciplinary and holistic management of children with dysphagia.”
— Tawakir Kamani, MD, MRCS, DOHNS, MSc, FRCS (ORL-HNS), Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust, in ENT & Audiology News ​​​(September 2021)