Sucking and swallowing disorders in infants

Czech version

Authors: Barbora Černá ¹; Hana Nestávalová ²; Barbora Jírová ¹; Kristýna Zárubová ¹; Barbora Obermannová ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Pediatrická klinika, 2. lékařská fakulta, Univerzita Karlova, Fakultní nemocnice Motol a Homolka, Praha ¹; Neurologická klinika, 2. lékařská fakulta, Univerzita Karlova, Fakultní nemocnice Motol a Homolka, Praha ²
Published in: Čes-slov Pediat 2026; 81 (2): 81-87.
Category:
doi: https://doi.org/10.55095/CSPediatrie2026/011

Overview

Černá B, Nestávalová H, Jírová B, Zárubová K, Obermannová B. Sucking and swallowing disorders in infants

Disorders of sucking and swallowing in infants represent a significant clinical problem with potentially serious consequences for the overall development of the child. The skills necessary for oral feeding begin to develop prenatally and continue to mature during the first months of life, when coordination of sucking, swallowing, and breathing is crucial. The causes of these disorders include anatomical, neurological, and other systemic factors. Clinical manifestations of sucking and swallowing disorders range from severe aspiration episodes to subtle, less specific findings such as poor weight gain. Diagnosis requires multidisciplinary collaboration and includes a detailed medical history, physical examination, and functional assessment of motor, oromotor and sensory skills (clinical evaluation by a speech and swallowing therapist, and possibly a videofluoroscopic swallow study or flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing) and nutrition. Early identification of these disorders and appropriate intervention are essential for achieving safe and effective oral feeding.

Keywords:

swallowing disorders – infant – dysphagia – sucking – feeding difficulties

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