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BMC Pediatrics

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Open Access 01-12-2022 | Aspiration Pneumonia | Research

Relationship between daily swallowing frequency and pneumonia in patients with severe cerebral palsy

Authors: Nobukazu Tanaka, Kanji Nohara, Chisato Uota, Nami Fujii, Aya Obana, Katsuji Tanaka, Takayoshi Sakai

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2022

Abstract

Background

Aspiration pneumonia is a major complication that occurs in patients with severe cerebral palsy and is associated with their survival prognosis, necessitating appropriate assessment and response. We focused on swallowing frequency as an index of daily swallowing function due to the difficulty in evaluating the risk of pneumonia. The swallowing motion protects the airway by safely directing the food, saliva, and secretions accumulated in the pharynx into the esophagus to prevent aspiration and entry into the trachea. Thus, swallowing frequency may be correlated with the incidence of pneumonia. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between swallowing frequency and history of pneumonia in patients with severe cerebral palsy.

Methods

Fifty-seven patients with cerebral palsy were included in this study. Swallowing frequency was measured three times for each patient on separate days, and the reproducibility was examined by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient. Further, the relationship between swallowing frequency and history of pneumonia was investigated using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

While swallowing frequency differed between participants, it was constant within individuals (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.941). Furthermore, the swallowing frequencies per hour were 12.2 ± 12.2 and 27.0 ± 20.4 in the patient groups with and without a history of pneumonia, respectively (P < 0.001). Swallowing frequency (odds ratio: 10.489, 95% confidence interval: 2.706–40.663, P = 0.001) was significantly associated with the incidence of pneumonia in the previous year.

Conclusions

Swallowing frequency could be used as an index for assessing the risk of dysphagia and pneumonia in patients with severe cerebral palsy.

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Title: Relationship between daily swallowing frequency and pneumonia in patients with severe cerebral palsy
Authors: Nobukazu Tanaka
Kanji Nohara
Chisato Uota
Nami Fujii
Aya Obana
Katsuji Tanaka
Takayoshi Sakai
Publication date: 01-12-2022
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Aspiration Pneumonia
Foreign Body Aspiration
Foreign Body Aspiration
Aspiration
Pneumonia
Dysphagia
Dysphagia
Dysphagia
Published in: BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-022-03547-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Relationship between daily swallowing frequency and pneumonia in patients with severe cerebral palsy

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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