What causes feeding and swallowing disorders?
The following are some causes of feeding and swallowing disorders in children:
- nervous system disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy, meningitis, encephalopathy)
- gastrointestinal conditions (e.g., reflux, "short gut" syndrome)
- prematurity and/or low birth weight
- heart disease
- cleft lip and/or palate
- conditions affecting the airway
- autism
- head and neck abnormalities
- muscle weakness in the face and neck
- multiple medical problems
- respiratory difficulties
- medications that may cause lethargy or decreased appetite
- problems with parent-child interactions at meal times
How common are feeding and swallowing disorders?
Information about how many children have feeding and swallowing disorders is available in ASHA's report Communication Facts: Special Populations: Dysphagia.
The ASHA Leader articles
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See Also:
Feeding and Swallowing Disorders in Children
Feeding and Swallowing Disorders: Benefits of Speech-Language Pathology Services
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