Aspiration/Chronic Lung Disease
Children with CP and other chronic disorders are at risk for acute and chronic respiratory illness due to neurological and
anatomical dysfunction. Recurrent pneumonia can be a frequent and often unrecognized sign of aspiration. Although pneumonia
may occur as an isolated illness in any child, it should prompt consideration for further evaluation in a child with CP.
Factors contributing to aspiration in children with chronic illness include oral motor dysfunction, gastroesophageal reflux, sleep apnea, seizures, atelectasis/bronchiectasis, trachealmalacia, restrictive lung disease, airway hyposensitivity, ineffective cough, inadequate seating posture, and scoliosis.
Optimal management of the child includes:
Factors contributing to aspiration in children with chronic illness include oral motor dysfunction, gastroesophageal reflux, sleep apnea, seizures, atelectasis/bronchiectasis, trachealmalacia, restrictive lung disease, airway hyposensitivity, ineffective cough, inadequate seating posture, and scoliosis.
Optimal management of the child includes:
- Minimizing aspiration risk
- Optimizing nutrition
- Immunizing - including influenza and pneumococcal vaccines
- Ensuring good posture support in seating
- Monitoring for scoliosis
- Avoiding active/passive tobacco smoke
Monitor and manage problems associated with:
- Dysphagia/aspiration
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Sleep apnea/obstruction
- Comorbid pulmonary conditions (e.g., asthma, allergies, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
Resources
Services for Patients & Families Nationwide (NW)
| Service Categories | # of providers* in: | NW | Partner states (6) (show) | | ID | MT | NM | NV | RI | UT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pediatric Gastroenterology | 1 | 3 | 15 | 8 | 6 | 19 | 4 | ||||
| Pediatric Pulmonology | 2 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 4 | |||||
| Pediatric Sleep Medicine | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||
For services not listed above, browse our Services categories or search our database.
* number of provider listings may vary by how states categorize services, whether providers are listed by organization or individual, how services are organized in the state, and other factors; Nationwide (NW) providers are generally limited to web-based services, provider locator services, and organizations that serve children from across the nation.