The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital

Pediatric Aerodigestive Care

The Aerodigestive Clinic at The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital takes a multidisciplinary team approach to evaluating and caring for children with complex problems involving the airway, pulmonary (lung) function, and upper digestive tract. The clinic provides a convenient, one-stop resource for diagnosis and comprehensive treatment.

Our multidisciplinary team includes specialists in pediatric pulmonology, otolaryngology (ears, nose and throat), and gastroenterology. Their expertise is augmented by specialized nurses, dietitians, occupational therapists, respiratory therapists, sleep medicine specialists, and social workers. Working as a team – of which parents are an integral part – we will develop recommendations for the most effective treatments and ongoing management of your child’s condition.

We evaluate and treat children with:

  • Chronic airway disorders including tracheostomy, and children requiring ventilation and supplemental oxygen.
  • Anatomic disorders of the pharynx, larynx or esophagus that limit oral feeding.
  • Feeding and swallowing disorders, aspiration, reflux and specialized feeding needs.
  • Neurologic disorders and syndromes that affect breathing and swallowing.

Some of the specific conditions we see include:

  • Apnea
  • Airway obstruction
  • Aspiration
  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
  • Bronchomalacia
  • Chronic lung disease
  • Chronic cough or wheezing
  • Craniofacial syndromes that cause airway obstruction and associated feeding problems
  • Dysphagia (swallowing problems)
  • Esophageal atresia
  • Failure to thrive
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Laryngeal cleft
  • Laryngomalacia
  • Motility disorders
  • Subglottic stenosis
  • Tracheomalacia
  • Tracheostomy
  • Vocal cord dysfunction/paralysis