Flow Rates of Bottle Nipples/Teats with Different Thicknesses of Barium and Infant Formula

In this study, we examined the flow rates of bottle nipples/teats with three different thicknesses of barium (thin, slightly thick, and mildly thick) and compared it to the flow rates with infant formula (thin, slightly thick, and mildly thick). We found that the flow rates of barium are not consistent with the flow rates of infant formula of the same IDDSI thickness. Across thicknesses, barium flows more slowly through the nipple than infant formula. This may have important clinical implications for infants whose swallowing function is evaluated by videofluoroscopic swallow study.

Authors: Britt Pados, Katherine Engstler, & Kayla Hernandez

Publication Information: Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups - SIG 13 Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia). Online ahead of print. doi: 10.1044/2024_PERSP-24-00031

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