Aspiration
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Explanation | Signs Child Is Aspirating | How to Prevent Aspiration l How to Handle Aspiration l Tip
What Is Aspiration?
The passage of solids, liquids, or saliva into the airway instead of into the esophagus.
What Children Aspirate
Some children with tracheotomies eat normally. Yet others have other medical issues that may add to their trouble chewing and swallowing, either before and after a tracheotomy tube is placed, or both. Another small group of children, especially older children, may have a tendency to aspirate. Special therapists and treatments can help children who have trouble with chewing and swallowing.
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Signs That Your Child May be Aspirating
Here are the signs that indicate your child may be aspirating:
- Choking or coughing with swallowing
- Watery trach secretions, especially after swallowing
- Drooling or holding saliva and fluids in the mouth
- The color of the food or liquid that your child is swallowing is coughed from the tracheotomy tube
- Your child may have frequent lung infections
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How to Prevent Aspiration
Here are some ways to help prevent your child from aspirating:
- Thickening liquids with artificial thickeners or foods like pudding, baby foods, cereals, jello and yogurt (thicker liquids are usually easier to swallow than thin liquids).
- Chewing and swallowing slowly
- Sitting upright while eating or drinking
- Following doctor's orders on eating / feeding
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How to Handle Aspiration
- Watch your child eat and drink
- Suction the tracheotomy tube using saline until the tube is clear of the fluid or food your child was eating
- Change the tracheotomy tube if it is plugged with fluid or food
- Call your doctor if your child is showing signs of aspiration; your doctor can arrange tests to check for aspiration.
- Work with swallowing therapists, if indicated.
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Tip
Remember, your child can aspirate when vomiting too. If your child does vomit, try to keep it out of the tracheotomy tube, by turning the child's head to the side and suctioning the trach. Place babies on their side to sleep.
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Rev 7/07
