Overview
This entry, previously known as 'Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with basal ganglia anomalies,' is an obsolete (retired) disease classification in the Orphanet rare disease database. It was used to describe a condition in which newborns or infants had serious difficulty sucking and swallowing, linked to abnormalities in a part of the brain called the basal ganglia. The basal ganglia are deep brain structures that help control movement, coordination, and certain automatic functions like swallowing. When these structures do not develop properly or are damaged, basic feeding functions can be severely impaired. Because this classification is now obsolete, the condition it described has likely been reclassified under a more specific or updated diagnosis. Patients and families who were previously given this diagnosis should work with their medical team to determine the current, more precise name for their condition. This is important because an updated diagnosis can open doors to better-targeted treatments, clinical trials, and support resources. The symptoms originally associated with this condition included poor feeding from birth, difficulty coordinating sucking and swallowing, choking or aspiration during feeds, failure to thrive, and possible additional neurological problems. Treatment was primarily supportive, focusing on safe feeding strategies, nutritional support (sometimes through tube feeding), and management of any associated neurological issues. Families affected by this condition were typically cared for by a multidisciplinary team including neurologists, feeding specialists, and geneticists.
Key symptoms:
Difficulty sucking during feedingDifficulty swallowingChoking or gagging during feedsPoor weight gain or failure to thriveAspiration of food or liquid into the lungsAbnormal brain structures visible on imagingLow muscle toneDelayed motor developmentFeeding refusalRecurrent lung infections from aspiration
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with basal ganglia anomalies.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for OBSOLETE: Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with basal ganglia anomalies at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with basal ganglia anomalies.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Financial Resources
1 resourcesTECENTRIQ
Genentech, Inc.
TECENTRIQ Patient Support (Genentech Access Solutions)
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to OBSOLETE: Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with basal ganglia anomalies.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with OBSOLETE: Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with basal ganglia anomalies.
Start the conversation →Latest news about OBSOLETE: Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with basal ganglia anomalies
No recent news articles for OBSOLETE: Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with basal ganglia anomalies.
Follow this condition to be notified when news becomes available.
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Since this diagnosis is now obsolete, what is the current, updated name for my child's condition?,What did the brain MRI show about my child's basal ganglia, and what does it mean?,Should we pursue genetic testing to find a more specific cause?,What feeding strategies are safest for my child right now?,Will my child need a feeding tube, and if so, for how long?,What therapies are available to help improve my child's swallowing?,Are there any clinical trials or new treatments we should know about?
Common questions about OBSOLETE: Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with basal ganglia anomalies
What is OBSOLETE: Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with basal ganglia anomalies?
This entry, previously known as 'Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with basal ganglia anomalies,' is an obsolete (retired) disease classification in the Orphanet rare disease database. It was used to describe a condition in which newborns or infants had serious difficulty sucking and swallowing, linked to abnormalities in a part of the brain called the basal ganglia. The basal ganglia are deep brain structures that help control movement, coordination, and certain automatic functions like swallowing. When these structures do not develop properly or are damaged, basic feeding functions can
At what age does OBSOLETE: Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with basal ganglia anomalies typically begin?
Typical onset of OBSOLETE: Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with basal ganglia anomalies is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
What treatment and support options exist for OBSOLETE: Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with basal ganglia anomalies?
1 patient support program are currently tracked on UniteRare for OBSOLETE: Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with basal ganglia anomalies. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.