Presentation description

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease commonly seen in premature infants born less than 32 weeks gestational age, is diagnosed at 36 weeks post-menstrual age based on the infants' need for supplemental respiratory support. Due to developmental immaturity, many premature infants also have dysphagia or swallowing dysfunction. Speech pathologists use videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) to analyze swallowing function using barium swallow tests under fluoroscopy. These studies determine the severity of dysphagia. Despite both BPD and dysphagia being common in premature infants, there is a lack of literature about the relationship between them. In this study, we aim to understand the association between BPD severity and dysphagia, how swallowing function changes over time in children with BPD, and whether clinical characteristics predispose children to more severe or persistent swallowing dysfunction. We are conducting a retrospective single center review of children with dysphagia who had at least two VFSS from one BPD Clinic from 2018 to present. Data is being collected from 138 subjects including demographic features, BPD severity, VFSS findings, and respiratory outcomes. We plan to analyze the data using multivariate regression analysis. This study will help clinicians better understand the natural history of dysphagia in children with BPD. It will be a foundation for research to evaluate potential interventions to improve swallowing function, decrease aspiration-associated respiratory morbidities, and improve long-term developmental and lung function outcomes for children with BPD.