Thickened Liquids as a Treatment for Children With Dysphagia and Associated Adverse Effects: A Systematic Review
ICAN: Infant, Child, & Adolescent Nutrition
Gosa, M., Schooling, T., et al. (2011).
ICAN: Infant, Child, & Adolescent Nutrition, 3(6), 344-350.
This systematic review investigates the effects of thickened liquids on swallowing physiology, oral feeding development, weight gain and growth, hydration, and pulmonary health and the occurrence of any adverse effects associated with thickened liquid use in children younger than 18-years with or without dysphagia.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Published prior to May 2010
Peer-reviewed, original studies (not further specified)
22
<div>"While no studies in this [evidence-based systematic review] advised against the use of thickened liquids, experimental research needed to explore thoroughly the beneficial and adverse treatment effects of thickened liquids in children with dysphagia is not currently available" (p. 349).</div>
<div>The studies examining the effects of thickened liquids on swallowing physiology or pulmonary health outcomes had significant methodological limitations and reported mixed findings.</div>
<div>All of the included studies examining adverse effects focused on children with gastroesophageal reflux and reported no significant increase in adverse effects from the use of thickened liquids.</div>
