A Case Report of a Child with Cerebral Palsy with Severe Dysphagia Who Achieved Partial Oral Intake after Feeding Therapy Combined with Interferential Current Stimulation

Abstract

The prevalence of drooling and dysphagia in cerebral palsy (CP) is estimated to be about half. Pharyngeal dysphagia is common even in children with mild CP, but there is limited evidence of intervention for dysphagia in CP. Interferential current stimulation (IFC) to induce the swallowing reflex by stimulating the superior laryngeal nerve has been reported to improve the swallowing reflex in adults, but there are few reports in children, and even fewer in medically complex children with severe dysphagia requiring continuous pharyngeal suction.

This case report describes a CP child with severe dysphagia who had difficulty in processing saliva even with continuous pharyngeal suction due to poor swallowing reflex. We conducted weekly taste stimulation therapy or direct swallowing therapy in combination with IFC from the second month of intervention (age 0 years 8 months).

After the intervention, SpO₂ decreased due to coughing and drooling improved, and the duration without the continuous pharyngeal suction device gradually increased, achieving a level of swallowing function that allowed partial oral intake at the 22nd month of intervention (2 years and 4 months).

This case report suggests that feeding therapy with IFC, which stimulates the superior laryngeal nerve, may be useful for children with severe dysphagia who require continuous pharyngeal suction.