The pattern of dysphagia in children

BACKGROUND: Difficulty in swallowing is not uncommon among children and yet little information is available in the literature. We report our experience on the pattern of this condition. METHODS: We extracted data from the medical records of 42 children with dysphagia on age at presentation, nationality, gender, and final diagnosis. RESULTS: From 1993 to 2002, 96% of 42 children presenting with dysphagia were Saudi nationals, ranging in age from 3 months to 18 years, with a male to female ratio of 1:0.6. An etiologic diagnosis was found in 30 children (72%). Esophagitis, esophageal strictures and motility disorders were the most common causes of dysphagia, occurring in 16 (38%), 7 (17%), and 4 (10%) children, respectively. Two children had esophageal webs and one had an esophageal ring. Age-related analysis indicated that most of the cases of esophagitis (11/16, 69%) and strictures (5/7, 71%) occurred in young children whereas most nondemonstrable causes occurred in older children (9/12, 75%). CONCLUSION: This report documents a pattern of dysphagia in Saudi Arab children that is similar to descriptions from other countries.