Bildiri_Kitabi

“Tanıdan Tedaviye Nörojenik Yutma Bozuklukları”
12-14 Nisan 2017, Ankara
THICKENER USE IN PEDIATRIC DYSPHAGIA: TREATMENT
RESULTS AND FAMILY EXPERIENCES
Fatma Ilgaz 1 , Selen Serel Arslan 2 , Hülya Gökmen-Özel 1 , Numan Demir 2 , Aynur Ayşe
Karaduman 2
1
Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Physiotherapy and
Rehabilitation, Ankara, TURKEY
2
Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Nutrition and Dietetics,
Ankara, TURKEY
PURPOSE: Thickened fluids are widely used in pediatric dysphagia but
little is known about the results and family experiences regarding the use of
commercially fluid thickeners. This study was designed to determine the results
and family experiences related to the use of thickeners in children with liquid
aspiration.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted
on children using thickeners for management of thin liquid aspiration, which
was determined by videofluoroscopic swallowing study. Data was obtained
from families by a detailed questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed
by chi-squared test.
RESULTS: A total of 30 children (43.3% male) with a median age of 27.5
months (11-121 months) and having swallowing problems for 23.5±13.1
months. Mean duration of thickener use was 14.3±11.4 months. A xanthangum
based thickener was the choice of thickener in 53.3% of children while a
modified-starch based or locust bean gum based thickener was used in 26.7%
and 20.0%, respectively. Most of the children (93.4%) were recommended to
drink nectar/honey-like consistencies and only 2 children was recommended
to drink a pudding-consistency. The most common problems regarding the
preparation of thickened fluids were lumpiness (53.3%), excessive thickening
with waiting (33.3%) and inability to obtain same consistency in different
liquids (23.3%). Families reported reduced frequency of pulmonary infections
(93.3%), decreased feelings of thirst (83.3%) and increased liquid intake after
treatment. Ease of preparation or treatment outcomes were not statistically
different according to types of thickener or consistency level (χ 2 test, p>0.05).
All of the families reported that thickened liquids were safe and 90.0% of
families were satisfied with the treatment.
CONCLUSION: Although the families experience some difficulties in
preparing thickened liquids with appropriate thickness level, they are still found
to be safe and efficient by families, particularly due to reduced pulmonary
infections and increased fluid intake.
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