Infants and toddlers up to 3 years old can experience conditions that make it difficult to eat or swallow. The signs of an eating or swallowing disorder can include:
- Arching of the back during feeding.
- Coughing and choking during feeding.
- Difficulty breathing while feeding.
- Excessive crying during mealtime, or shortly afterward.
- Vomiting after most feedings, in amounts that are more than spit-up.
- Excessive drooling for their age without a reasonable cause, such as teething.
- Lack of weight gain, poor growth, failure to thrive.
Your baby may not have all of these signs. Most children only have a few symptoms that make parents question their ability to swallow or eat normally. Even with only a few of these signs, your child could be at an increased risk for more serious problems if they do have a swallowing or eating disorder and do not receive treatment. This could include:
- Dehydration, malnutrition, and slow or absent growth.
- Pneumonia and other infections.
- Damage to the esophagus.
- Social impacts later in childhood, especially after they begin school.
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Birth Injury May Cause Babies to Develop an Eating or Swallowing Disorder
According to the Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, about one percent of all children have some type of eating or swallowing difficulty. However, in certain populations with specific clinical diagnoses, this percentage is much higher. For example, many children with cerebral palsy struggle with feeding and swallowing.
The signs of an eating or swallowing disorder may occur because of a number of complications, including diseases, birth injuries, and congenital conditions. Some that commonly occur in newborns, infants, and toddlers include:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Facial malformations, such as a cleft palate or cleft lip.
- Paralysis or muscle control issues in the esophagus, or another part of the mouth or throat.
- Nervous system disorders, like cerebral palsy.
- Asthma or other respiratory issues.
- Muscle weakness in the face and neck.
- Medications that affect hunger or cause extreme sleepiness.
- Autism and sensory issues.
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Treating Swallowing Difficulties in Babies and Young Children
Your child’s doctor may be able to resolve or minimize any swallowing and eating difficulties through medication, surgery, therapy, or other treatments. If your child receives a diagnosis that includes a swallowing disorder, you will likely work closely with a speech-language pathologist. This type of medical specialist can help you put a plan in place to help your child swallow normally or learn techniques to eat in a more normal way.
Depending on the cause of your child’s condition and their symptoms, treatments may include:
- Medication, which may cure GERD or make it easier to control muscles.
- Speech therapy, including feeding support.
- Adding calories by offering different foods or supplements.
- Altering their diet to deal with sensitivities or texture preferences.
- Feeding in a different position.
- Thickening liquids and taking other steps to reduce choking hazards.
- Working closely with other medical providers, including a dentist or psychologist.
Some children may require tube feeding if they cannot consume enough calories to prevent dehydration or malnutrition. This is often temporary while they undergo therapy or other treatment to improve their ability to eat and swallow.
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Your Baby’s Swallowing Disorder May Be Related to a Birth Injury
If your child suffered a birth injury, and this led to an eating or swallowing disorder, you may be able to hold the doctor or hospital accountable. A lawyer can help you build your case and gather evidence while handling your legal representation throughout the process.
While preparing your case, a birth injury attorney in your state will work to identify and assign liability, call in medical experts who can verify your case, and navigate the paperwork on behalf of your child and your family. If your lawyer can prove that your child suffered injuries because of medical negligence, then you may be able to recover compensation for treatment, therapy, and care, as well as other related costs.
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Speak to a Member of Our Team About Your Baby’s Diagnosis
You can speak to a member of the Birth Injury Lawyers Group about your case today. Call (800) 222-9529 now for a free case review. We can discuss your child’s diagnosis and possible birth injury to learn more about your case and identify the laws that may allow you to hold the doctor or hospital at fault.
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