Dysphagia Among Children—A Single-Center Experience
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
3. Results
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
EoE | Eosinophilic esophagitis |
ICD-10 | International Classification of Diseases-10 |
MII-pH | Multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH |
GERD | Gastroesophageal reflux disease |
Eos | Eosinophils |
hpf | High power field |
OR | Odds ratio |
CI | Confidence interval |
GI | Gastrointestinal |
BMI | Body mass index |
COVID-19 | Coronavirus disease 2019 |
References
- McCarty, E.B.; Chao, T.N. Dysphagia and Swallowing Disorders. Med. Clin. N. Am. 2021, 105, 939–954. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Lawlor, C.M.; Choi, S. Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Dysphagia: A Review. JAMA Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 2020, 146, 183–191. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Bhattacharyya, N. The prevalence of pediatric voice and swallowing problems in the United States. Laryngoscope 2015, 125, 746–750. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Propp, R.; Gill, P.J.; Marcus, S.; Ren, L.; Cohen, E.; Friedman, J.; Mahant, S. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for children with dysphagia: A systematic review. BMJ Open 2022, 12, e055124. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Triggs, J.; Pandolfino, J. Recent advances in dysphagia management. F1000Research 2019, 8, F1000. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Mari, A.; Abu Baker, F.; Said Ahmad, H.; Omari, A.; Jawabreh, Y.; Abboud, R.; Shahin, A.; Shibli, F.; Sbeit, W.; Khoury, T. The Yield of Endoscopy and Histology in the Evaluation of Esophageal Dysphagia: Two Referral Centers’ Experiences. Medicina 2021, 57, 1336. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Saleedaeng, P.; Korwanich, N.; Muangpaisan, W.; Korwanich, K. Effect of Dysphagia on the Older Adults’ Nutritional Status and Meal Pattern. J. Prim. Care Community Health 2023, 14, 21501319231158280. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Verbecque, E.; Coetzee, D.; Smits-Engelsman, B. Underweight children are agile but lack power. BMC Pediatr. 2022, 22, 490. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- den Hoed, M.A.; Pluijm, S.M.; de Groot-Kruseman, H.A.; te Winkel, M.L.; Fiocco, M.; van den Akker, E.L.; Hoogerbrugge, P.; van den Berg, H.; Leeuw, J.A.; Bruin, M.C.; et al. The negative impact of being underweight and weight loss on survival of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Haematologica 2015, 100, 62–69. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Larsson, H.; Bergman, K.; Finizia, C.; Johansson, L.; Bove, M.; Bergquist, H. Dysphagia and health-related quality of life in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis: A long-term follow-up. Eur. Arch. Otorhinolaryngol. 2015, 272, 3833–3839. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Albinsson, S.; Tuomi, L.; Wennerås, C.; Larsson, H. Patient-Reported Dysphagia in Adults with Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Translation and Validation of the Swedish Eosinophilic Esophagitis Activity Index. Dysphagia 2022, 37, 286–296. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Moawad, F.J. Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Incidence and Prevalence. Gastrointest. Endosc. Clin. N. Am. 2018, 28, 15–25. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Lucendo, A.J.; Molina-Infante, J.; Arias, Á.; von Arnim, U.; Bredenoord, A.J.; Bussmann, C.; Dias, J.A.; Bove, M.; González-Cervera, J.; Larsson, H.; et al. Guidelines on eosinophilic esophagitis: Evidence-based statements and recommendations for diagnosis and management in children and adults. United Eur. Gastroenterol. J. 2017, 5, 335–358. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Mackenzie, S.H.; Go, M.; Chadwick, B.; Thomas, K.; Fang, J.; Kuwada, S.; Lamphier, S.; Hilden, K.; Peterson, K. Eosinophilic oesophagitis in patients presenting with dysphagia--a prospective analysis. Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. 2008, 28, 1140–1146. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Prasad, G.A.; Talley, N.J.; Romero, Y.; Arora, A.S.; Kryzer, L.A.; Smyrk, T.C.; Alexander, J.A. Prevalence and predictive factors of eosinophilic esophagitis in patients presenting with dysphagia: A prospective study. Am. J. Gastroenterol. 2007, 102, 2627–2632. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Zdanowicz, K.; Kucharska, M.; Sobaniec-Lotowska, M.E.; Lebensztejn, D.M.; Daniluk, U. Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Children in North-Eastern Poland. J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9, 3869. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Barni, S.; Arasi, S.; Mastrorilli, C.; Pecoraro, L.; Giovannini, M.; Mori, F.; Liotti, L.; Saretta, F.; Castagnoli, R.; Caminiti, L.; et al. Pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis: A review for the clinician. Ital. J. Pediatr. 2021, 47, 230. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Dinardo, G.; Fiocchi, A.; Artesani, M.C.; De Angelis, P.; Rea, F.; Tambucci, R.; Dahdah, L.; Fierro, V.; Valluzzi, R.L.; Arasi, S.; et al. Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Cow’s Milk: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Treatment Perspectives. Nutrients 2025, 17, 265. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Dhar, A.; Haboubi, H.N.; Attwood, S.E.; Auth, M.K.H.; Dunn, J.M.; Sweis, R.; Morris, D.; Epstein, J.; Novelli, M.R.; Hunter, H.; et al. British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) and British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (BSPGHAN) joint consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of eosinophilic oesophagitis in children and adults. Gut 2022, 71, 1459–1487. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Svystun, O.; Johannsen, W.; Persad, R.; Turner, J.M.; Majaesic, C.; El-Hakim, H. Dysphagia in healthy children: Characteristics and management of a consecutive cohort at a tertiary centre. Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. 2017, 99, 54–59. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Rikos, N.; Milathianakis, G.; Zafeiriou, T.; Zervoudaki, C.; Tzortzakis, I.; Linardakis, M. Prevalence of dysphagia symptoms in Cretan children and adolescents with neurological disorders. J. Taibah Univ. Med. Sci. 2022, 17, 362–368. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Lefton-Greif, M.A.; Carroll, J.L.; Loughlin, G.M. Long-term follow-up of oropharyngeal dysphagia in children without apparent risk factors. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2006, 41, 1040–1048. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Viswanathan, S.; Jadcherla, S. Feeding and Swallowing Difficulties in Neonates: Developmental Physiology and Pathophysiology. Clin. Perinatol. 2020, 47, 223–241. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Weerasekera, K.; Sim, D.; Coughlan, F.; Inns, S. Eosinophilic esophagitis incidence in New Zealand: High but not increasing. Clin. Exp. Gastroenterol. 2019, 12, 367–374. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Young, E.; Philpott, H. Pathophysiology of Dysphagia in Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Causes, Consequences, and Management. Dig. Dis. Sci. 2022, 67, 1101–1115. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Chai, C.; Krishnan, U. Dysmotility in Eosinophilic Esophagitis. Front. Pediatr. 2022, 10, 853754. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Zdanowicz, K.; Kucharska, M.; Reszec, J.; Lebensztejn, D.M.; Daniluk, U. Immunohistochemical markers for eosinophilic esophagitis. Scand. J. Gastroenterol. 2020, 55, 1277–1283. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Ricker, J.; McNear, S.; Cassidy, T.; Plott, E.; Arnold, H.; Kendall, B.; Franklin, K. Routine screening for eosinophilic esophagitis in patients presenting with dysphagia. Therap Adv. Gastroenterol. 2011, 4, 27–35. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Sarbinowska, J.; Wiatrak, B.; Waśko-Czopnik, D. Searching for Noninvasive Predictors of the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Eosinophilic Esophagitis—The Importance of Biomarkers of the Inflammatory Reaction Involving Eosinophils. Biomolecules 2021, 11, 890. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Visaggi, P.; Savarino, E.; Sciume, G.; Chio, T.D.; Bronzini, F.; Tolone, S.; Frazzoni, M.; Pugno, C.; Ghisa, M.; Bertani, L.; et al. Eosinophilic esophagitis: Clinical, endoscopic, histologic and therapeutic differences and similarities between children and adults. Therap Adv. Gastroenterol. 2021, 14, 1756284820980860. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Min, S.B.; Nylund, C.M.; Baker, T.P.; Ally, M.; Reinhardt, B.; Chen, Y.J.; Nazareno, L.; Moaward, F.J. Longitudinal Evaluation of Noninvasive Biomarkers for Eosinophilic Esophagitis. J. Clin. Gastroenterol. 2017, 51, 127–135. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Bollschweiler, E.; Knoppe, K.; Wolfgarten, E.; Hölscher, A.H. Prevalence of dysphagia in patients with gastroesophageal reflux in Germany. Dysphagia 2008, 23, 172–176. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Fishbein, M.; Branham, C.; Fraker, C.; Walbert, L.; Cox, S.; Scarborough, D. The incidence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in infants with GERD-like symptoms. JPEN J. Parenter. Enteral Nutr. 2013, 37, 667–673. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Gunasekaran, T.; Prabhakar, G.; Schwartz, A.; Gorla, K.; Gupta, S.; Berman, J. Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Children and Adolescents with Abdominal Pain: Comparison with EoE-Dysphagia and Functional Abdominal Pain. Can. J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 2016, 2016, 4123692. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Number of patients | 146 |
Age (years) (median, range) | 10 (0–17) |
Male (n, %) | 81 (55.48%) |
Duration of dysphagia (days) (median, range) | 60 (1–1500) |
BMI: | |
<5 percentile (n, %) | 30 (20.55%) |
>85 percentile (n, %) | 0 (0.0%) |
Short stature (<3 percentile) (n, %) | 18 (12.33%) |
Cause of dysphagia: | |
Structural anomalies of nose, oral cavity and larynx (n, %) | 5 (3.42%) |
Gastrointestinal tract disorders (n, %) | 90 (61.64%) |
Cardiopulmonary disorders (n, %) | 1 (0.68%) |
Prematurity (n, %) | 1 (0.68%) |
Neurological/psychiatric disorders (n, %) | 35 (23.97%) |
Idiopathic (n, %) | 14 (9.59%) |
EoE (n = 37) | Non-EoE (n = 109) | p | |
---|---|---|---|
Age (years) (median, range) | 10 (0–17) | 10 (0–17) | 0.40 |
Male (n, %) | 28 (75.68%) | 53 (48.62%) | 0.004 |
Duration of dysphagia (days) (median, range) | 60 (1–60) | 48 (2–1500) | 0.63 |
Family history of gastrointestinal diseases (n, %) | 2 (5.41%) | 4 (3.67%) | 0.65 |
Comorbidities: | |||
Food allergy (n, %) | 16 (43.24%) | 8 (7.34%) | <0.001 |
Asthma | 8 (21.62%) | 2 (1.83%) | <0.001 |
Allergic rhinitis | 13 (35.14%) | 6 (5.50%) | <0.001 |
Atopic dermatitis | 2 (5.41%) | 2 (1.83%) | 0.25 |
Symptoms: | |||
Abdominal pain | 13 (35.14%) | 37 (33.94%) | 0.90 |
Halitosis (n) | 3 (8.11%) | 5 (4.59%) | 0.42 |
Vomiting (n) | 7 (18.92%) | 24 (22.02%) | 0.69 |
Lack of appetite (n) | 2 (5.41%) | 12 (11.01%) | 0.32 |
Heartburn (n) | 2 (5.41%) | 10 (9.17%) | 0.47 |
Nausea (n) | 2 (5.41%) | 11 (10.09%) | 0.46 |
Weight loss (n) | 5 (13.51%) | 17 (15.60%) | 0.76 |
Eructation (n) | 0 (0.00%) | 7 (6.42%) | NA |
Regurgitation (n) | 3 (8.11%) | 5 (4.59%) | 0.42 |
BMI < 5 percentile (n, %) | 8 (21.62%) | 22 (20.18%) | 0.85 |
Short stature (<3 percentile) (n, %) | 6 (16.22%) | 12 (11.00%) | 0.41 |
EoE (n = 37) | Non-EoE (n = 109) | p | |
---|---|---|---|
Laboratory result: | |||
Blood eos count | 610 (10–2560) | 130 (0–2643) | <0.001 |
Eosinophilia (n) (>400 eos/µL) | 26 (70.27%) | 8 (7.34%) | <0.001 |
Hb (median, min-max) (g/dL) | 13.3 (11.5–17.0) | 12.8 (10.6–17.0) | 0.68 |
CRP (median, min-max) (mg/dL) | 0.6 (0.08–4.90) | 0.6 (0.05–91.52) | 0.07 |
PLTs (median, min-max) (×103/µL) | 287 (159–474) | 282 (137–624) | 0.99 |
Endoscopic findings in esophagus: | |||
Whitish exudates (n, %) | 10 (27.03%) | 4 (3.67%) | <0.001 |
Stricture (n, %) | 4 (10.81%) | 3 (2.75) | 0.05 |
Decrease vascular pattern (n,%) | 23 (62.16%) | 16 (14.68) | <0.001 |
Furrowing (n,%) | 32 (86.49%) | 8 (7.34) | <0.001 |
Mucosal edema (n,%) | 5 (13.51%) | 6 (5.50%) | 0.12 |
Erosion (n,%) | 6 (16.22%) | 33 (30.28%) | 0.09 |
Mucosal erythema (n,%) | 1 (2.70%) | 6 (5.50%) | 0.49 |
Papules/plaques (n,%) | 3 (8.11%) | 4 (3.67%) | 0.27 |
Trachealization/rings (n,%) | 10 (27.03%) | 0 (0.0%) | NA |
Esophageal hernia (n,%) | 0 (0.0%) | 2 (1.83%) | NA |
Histology examination: | |||
Median eos counts/hpf (range) | 20 (15–45) | 0 (0–10) | NA |
Multivariate OR (%CI) | p | |
---|---|---|
Male (n, %) | 1.90 (0.54–6.73) | 0.32 |
BMI < 5 percentile (n, %) | 0.58 (0.11–3.25) | 0.54 |
Short stature (<3 percentile) (n, %) | 1.93 (0.26–14.54) | 0.52 |
Food allergy (n, %) | 7.46 (1.58–35.15) | 0.01 |
Asthma (n, %) | 7.97 (0.712–89.22) | 0.09 |
Allergic rhinitis (n, %) | 2.95 (0.61–14.17) | 0.18 |
Atopic dermatitis (n, %) | 0.76 (0.03–19.71) | 0.87 |
Eosinophilia (n) (>400 eos/µL) | 27.19 (7.60–97.25) | <0.001 |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Zdanowicz, K.; Rycyk, A.; Lebensztejn, D.M.; Daniluk, U. Dysphagia Among Children—A Single-Center Experience. J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14, 2906. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14092906
Zdanowicz K, Rycyk A, Lebensztejn DM, Daniluk U. Dysphagia Among Children—A Single-Center Experience. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025; 14(9):2906. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14092906
Chicago/Turabian StyleZdanowicz, Katarzyna, Artur Rycyk, Dariusz Marek Lebensztejn, and Urszula Daniluk. 2025. "Dysphagia Among Children—A Single-Center Experience" Journal of Clinical Medicine 14, no. 9: 2906. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14092906
APA StyleZdanowicz, K., Rycyk, A., Lebensztejn, D. M., & Daniluk, U. (2025). Dysphagia Among Children—A Single-Center Experience. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(9), 2906. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14092906