Role of speech language therapist in children in dysphagia due to caustic ingestion: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective: To assess the role of the speech-language therapist in the management of dysphagia due to caustic ingestion in children. Research strategy: Databases: PubMed, SciELO, and BIREME, by Medical Subject Heading Terms (MeSH); terms: [(“Dysphagia”) and (“Children”) and (“Caustic”)]. Selection criteria: A 5 year restriction period of publication and articles with speech therapy, information on feeding, pediatrics and burn by caustics were included. Results: Five articles were included with children with 11 months to 12 years. The late esophageal stenosis was present in the majority of studies and all reported dysphagia. All carried out the evaluation of swallowing before and after medical treatment to determine the severity and the necessity of the use of an alternative food supply. Conclusion: Speech therapy in the management in these cases comprise of evaluating and assisting the management of oral intake, and when this is not possible orally, to indicate an alternative food supply in conjunction with the team.