Overview
This entry, listed under Orphanet code 138095, refers to 'Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with neurologic anomalies.' It is classified as an obsolete term, meaning it is no longer used as a standalone diagnosis in current medical practice. Instead, the sucking and swallowing difficulties it describes are now recognized as symptoms that occur within the context of various underlying neurological conditions rather than being a separate disease on their own. Sucking and swallowing problems (also called dysphagia) in newborns and infants can be caused by many different neurological disorders, including brain malformations, neuromuscular diseases, cerebral palsy, genetic syndromes, and other conditions affecting the brain and nerves. These difficulties can lead to poor feeding, failure to gain weight, choking, aspiration (food or liquid entering the lungs), and recurrent lung infections. Because this term is obsolete, patients and families who were previously given this label should work with their medical team to identify the specific underlying neurological condition responsible for the feeding difficulties. Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause and may include specialized feeding techniques, speech and occupational therapy focused on oral-motor skills, nutritional support (sometimes including tube feeding), and management of the primary neurological condition. Early intervention is important to support nutrition, growth, and development.
Key symptoms:
Difficulty sucking during breastfeeding or bottle feedingTrouble swallowing food or liquidsChoking or gagging during feedsPoor weight gain or failure to thriveFrequent coughing during or after eatingAspiration (food or liquid going into the lungs)Recurrent pneumonia or lung infectionsDrooling or inability to manage salivaWeak cry or weak muscle toneNasal regurgitation (milk coming out of the nose)Prolonged feeding timesIrritability during feedingDevelopmental delays
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 neurologic anomalies.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with neurologic 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
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to OBSOLETE: Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with neurologic anomalies.
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
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Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What is the underlying neurological condition causing my child's feeding difficulties?,Should my child have a swallowing study to check for aspiration?,Is genetic testing recommended to find the cause?,What feeding strategies or therapies can help my child eat more safely?,Does my child need a feeding tube, and if so, is it temporary or long-term?,What are the warning signs that my child is aspirating, and when should I go to the emergency room?,How will this affect my child's growth, development, and long-term health?
Common questions about OBSOLETE: Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with neurologic anomalies
What is OBSOLETE: Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with neurologic anomalies?
This entry, listed under Orphanet code 138095, refers to 'Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with neurologic anomalies.' It is classified as an obsolete term, meaning it is no longer used as a standalone diagnosis in current medical practice. Instead, the sucking and swallowing difficulties it describes are now recognized as symptoms that occur within the context of various underlying neurological conditions rather than being a separate disease on their own. Sucking and swallowing problems (also called dysphagia) in newborns and infants can be caused by many different neurological disorde
At what age does OBSOLETE: Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with neurologic anomalies typically begin?
Typical onset of OBSOLETE: Sucking/swallowing disorder associated with neurologic anomalies is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.