Testing thickened feeds to improve safe swallowing
Part of Digestive system, Ear, nose & throat, Lungs & breathing clinical trials.
This study looks at how using thickened feeds may change swallowing safety and function in children who have swallowing problems (dysphagia) or who are at risk for a type of concerning breathing event. The goal is to see whether thicker liquids help protect the airway and improve swallow patterns.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- You’re between birth and age 21.
- You’re being cared for at Boston Children’s Hospital and your symptoms involve swallowing difficulty, or you had a first BRUE-type event (a brief, unexplained breathing/coughing episode).
- You have had, or may be able to have, a video swallow test (videofluoroscopic swallow study).
- You are not excluded by certain medical causes (for example, known seizure disorders or specific heart conditions linked to blue color).
- You do not have throat/nose/esophagus anatomy differences that would make a swallow-pressure sensor (catheter) unsafe or hard to place.
- You are not fed only through a feeding tube, and you are not allergic to rice cereal or the thickener gel mix (Gelmix).
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
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