Role of Speech-Language Pathologist in Pediatric Corrosive Ingestion in Zagazig University Children Hospital

Abstract

Background: Pediatric corrosive ingestion injuries represent a significant proportion of total ingestion injury annually. Medical and surgical advancements over the past five decades led to significant reductions in mortality. Optimal treatment of children with ingestion injuries requires a multi-skilled team approach. Objective: The aim of the work was to assess the effects of corrosive ingestion in children and to determine the role of speech-language pathologist. Patients and methods: This cross section study was conducted on 52 patients with corrosive ingestion. The patients were admitted at Zagazig University Children Hospitals from February 2018 to February 2019. Results: Our results showed that there was high significant relation between impaired oral intake and period of admission, PICU admission, days to initiate oral feeding and grade of mucosal injury. Also, there was high significant relation between fluid, semisolid and solid dysphagia and oropharyngeal mucosal injury. Also, there was a high significant relation between oesphageal mucosa grading of injury and oropharyngeal mucosal injury. Conclusion: Children admitted to hospital with severe ingestion injury to the oral cavity, oropharynx and esophagus had significant and sustained delay in the recovery of effective PO intake milestones, with many requiring ongoing gavage feeding at hospital discharge.