Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of E.N.T

Background: pediatric dysphagia is a serious problem which may present by its complications such as malnutrition, slow weight gain, recurrent chest infection, aspiration and possibly sudden death. There is high incidence of dysphagia among children especially those of neurodevelopmental disorders. Objectives: construction of a non-invasive easy screening tool for early detection of pediatric dysphagia among susceptible groups, and comparing its efficiency to clinical and instrumental assessment. Methods: Pediatric Dysphagia Questionnaire (PDQ) (the designed questionnaire), clinical feeding-swallowing observation and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) were applied to 60 children with different disorders carrying the risk of undiagnosed dysphagia. The results of the questionnaire response were compared to clinical observation and FEES results to detect its validity and reliability. Results: The sample consisted of 60 children (36 males 60%, 24 females 40%) with mean age (42.8±25.6 months). Mean PDQ total score was 6.6 ± 4 (range 0{u2013}12).The PDQ score compared with the clinical observation and FEES with receiver-operating characteristic analysis revealed that an optimal cut-off score of {u2265} 3, with sensitivity 97.9% and specificity of 100% can predict dysphagia. The cut-off score 9 can suspect presence of aspiration with 84.2% sensitivity and 85.4% specificity

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