Enhanced rapid review of the applicability of ultrasound in the assessment of sucking, swallowing and laryngeal function in the paediatric population.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has renewed interest in the use of ultrasound (US) amongst dysphagia-trained clinicians working with infants and children. US is a portable, minimally intrusive tool which carries reduced risk of aerosol-generation provoked by other instrumental swallowing assessment tools such as fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). For this reason, US could be a valuable addition to the dysphagia assessment toolkit.

Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing in Breastfeeding Infants With Laryngomalacia: Observed Clinical and Endoscopic Changes With Alteration of Infant Positioning at the Breast.

Objectives: This retrospective cohort study uses endoscopic assessment of the pharyngeal phase of swallowing in infants with laryngomalacia, to ascertain the impact of infant positioning on airway compromise and fluid dynamics during breastfeeding. The study aims to identify whether modification of infant positioning at the breast may improve the possibility of safe, successful breastfeeding in infants with laryngomalacia and concurrent breastfeeding difficulty.

Methods: Twenty-three infants referred for noisy breathing and difficulty feeding were assessed with flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) during breastfeeding.

Imaging the breastfeeding swallow: Pilot study utilizing real-time MRI.

Objective: Knowledge of the breastfeeding swallow is limited by practical challenges. Radiation exposure to both mother and infant and the radiolucent properties of breastmilk make videofluoroscopy an unsuitable imaging modality. Furthermore, ultrasound is not ideal for capturing the complex 3-dimensional functional anatomy of swallowing.

Evaluation of a tracheostomy education programme for speech-language therapists.

Background: Tracheostomy management is considered an area of advanced practice for speech-language therapists (SLTs) internationally. Infrequent exposure and limited access to specialist SLTs are barriers to competency development.

Aims: To evaluate the benefits of postgraduate tracheostomy education programme for SLTs working with children and adults.

New airway and swallow manifestations of Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome.

Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (SGBS) is an X-linked disorder of overgrowth associated with multiple congenital malformations. We report on a child with typical facial and visceral manifestations of SGBS. In addition there were complex airway anomalies, swallow difficulties and associated bronchiectasis that have not previously been described.