ABSTRACT
Purpose
To describe the qualitative and quantitative temporal analysis of oropharyngeal swallowing in children diagnosed with Down syndrome (DS) through a case series study of six individuals aged 4 to 17 months (mean age = 11.16 months; median = 12 months).
Methods
Qualitative and quantitative temporal analysis of swallowing using videofluoroscopy and specific software. The following parameters were assessed: presence or absence of oral incoordination, labial sphincter sealing incompetence, oral residue, posterior oral spillage, laryngotracheal penetration and aspiration, pharyngeal and total oral transit time (TOTT).
Results
Qualitative analysis identified individuals with disorders in at least four of the swallowing parameters investigated. Only one individual presented total oral transit time (TOTT) different from the others. No difference was observed between the cases regarding pharyngeal transit time.
Conclusion
Qualitative swallowing disorders are observed in children with DS, with difference in TOTT only in the case report of the youngest infant.
Keywords
Swallowing; Deglutition Disorders; Down syndrome; Fluoroscopy; Quantitative Analysis; Software