Poor head control and aspiration

jess71903 · Jun 30, 2011

Gage's PT sent me a FB message the other day asking about options for a kid she sees. This is what she has told me:

ey, Jessica! I have a special needs kiddo that is choking when riding in his standard car seat. He is less than 1 year old and chunky but short trunk, etc. Any recommendations as to which car seat might meet his needs?

I asked for more info and got:

He is a baby (7-8 months) with spina bifida. Decreased head and trunk control currently but is choking/aspirating on saliva/fluids when riding in car seat-does have dysphagia which they thicken liquids for already. Don't think we can safely place in convertible more upright secondary to headcontrol.

Any ideas? My first thought is the MyRide and get it as upright as we can, little by little, to where he can tolerate it.

Shaunam · Jun 30, 2011

I don't know how it works for other kids, but angle has nothing to do with if Charlie chokes/aspirates or not. The only thing that actually keeps her from choking is side-lying, which you can't do in the car. I would definitely try different angles to see if it helps. But for us...I just listen to her and pull over if I need to.

jess71903 · Jun 30, 2011

Shauna- you were exactly the one I was hoping would reply. I was thinking that there wouldn't be an angle upright enough on a RF seat to actually help, but I thought I'd see if there was anything to be done about it.

Shaunam · Jun 30, 2011

If being upright DOES help, I'd go 30 degrees and get him a neck collar. I don't know if they make them for babies that little though. Positioning can help some when it comes to aspiration, but a swallowing problem is a swallowing problem. If spit gets in the airway, it doesn't matter much if you are at 45* or 30* KWIM?

jess71903 · Jul 1, 2011

I've passed all of this along. I hope we can help this little guy!

Sent from my Desire HD using Car-Seat.Org

Murphy's Law · Jul 1, 2011

I'd try a car bed. Merritt makes one called Hope, I believe. If he used it lying on his back, with his head turned to the side so that secretions can drain out, that should work. I deal with a lot of kids who have spinal muscular atrophy and they too choke on secretions. They have done well with this car bed. The only interference is that he likely is able to move his head, whereas the kids with SMA aren't. So he may set himself up to be in a position where he could choke anyway.

safeinthecar · Jul 1, 2011

What else do they put him down on where he doesn't choke? Stroller, swing, flat surface?

jess71903 · Jul 22, 2011

Just wanted to update. I got to meet and eat lunch with Mom and baby yesterday. She said that they did get a convertible (got interrupted by kids so I don't know what) and it did help. He still chokes a bit, but not nearly as much.

Poor head control and aspiration

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