Postextubation Dysphagia in Pediatric Populations: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes

Objective: To assess incidence, risk factors for, and impact on outcomes of postextubation dysphagia. We hypothesized that the incidence of postextubation dysphagia in pediatric patients would approximate or exceed that in adults, that age and duration of intubation would increase odds for postextubation dysphagia, and that the presence of postextubation dysphagia would negatively impact patient outcomes. Study design: We performed a retrospective, observational cohort study of patients aged 0-16 years admitted between 2011 and 2017. Patients were included if they were extubated in the intensive care unit and fed orally within 72 hours. Records were reviewed to determine dysphagia status and assess the impact of patient factors on odds of postextubation dysphagia. The impact of postextubation dysphagia on patient outcomes was then assessed. Results: Following application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, the sample size was 372 patients. Postextubation dysphagia was observed in 29% of patients. For every hour of intubation, odds of postextubation dysphagia increased by 1.7% (P <.0001). Age of <25 months increased odds of postextubation dysphagia more than 2-fold (P <.05). When we controlled for age, diagnosis, number of complex chronic conditions, and dysphagia status, patients with dysphagia had an increase in total length of stay of 10.95 days (P <.0001). Postextubation dysphagia increased odds of gastrostomy or nasogastric tube at time of discharge (aOR 22.22, P <.0001). Conclusions: This study found that postextubation dysphagia is associated with increased time between extubation and discharge and with odds of gastrostomy or nasogastric tube at time of discharge.