To follow up on Mallory’s post on Dysphagia, GERD, and Silent Aspiration in children, I wanted to discuss the use of thickeners to help with the treatment of GERD/GER, dysphagia and aspiration.
If your little one is showing signs of GERD/GER, dysphagia or aspiration, you should always see a doctor to determine exactly what condition needs to be treated. One thing to remember is that children with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) can also have symptoms of dysphagia and often have symptoms very similar to that of GERD. EoE is caused by food allergies and can be treated effectively by eliminating the allergens in your child’s diet. Thickening their food or formula may not be needed once the allergens are removed. Be sure to check with your doctor or speech pathologist to see if a food thickener is appropriate for your little one before trying one.
Thickening Foods and Liquids
If your child does have GERD/GER, dysphagia or aspiration, altering the thickness of food and liquids can help make them easier to swallow. When fluids are too thin, some children have trouble using their tongues correctly, causing liquid to get caught in the airway passage and then get into their lungs. Thickening the formula and other fluids will help to ensure that the liquids stay together in the esophagus, decreasing the risk of aspiration.
For infants with GERD symptoms, using rice cereal in their formula to thicken it may help. The recommended amount to add to formulas is one tablespoon per 2 to 4 ounces of formula to reduce vomiting. (Rudolph et al 2001). There are also other thickeners on the market to choose from. It is important to read labels and call the company if your child has food allergies to ensure that they aren’t ingesting any allergens in the thickener. A few options include:
Have you used a thickener before for your child? If so let us know which you tried and how it worked!
- Christine
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