Silent aspiration

we are in nICU almost for 3 month, now doctors told me that my daughter has Silent Aspiration. They suggest to put G-tube for her but I refused it. Any one has a baby with Silent aspiration? how long it takes to be improved? what did you do ? please please share your experiance, we are very frustrated with NICU, Doctors, ....



6 Replies

  • In reply to CharlieAllene's mom:

    Hi Rebecca,

    Thanks for your answer, how old was your daughter when she get a g tube? how was surgery and after surgery? is it hard feeding with tube, keep it clean? it is completely unknown for me .
  • In reply to Karri:

    Thanks a lot Karri for your time, Thanks for sharing your experience. Next week she will have Swallow study and i hope she pass it.
  • Hi,

    I don't have experience with silent aspiration. However, my daughter has a g tube. We were so afraid to get the g tube. I was scared of the surgery. And scared of officially having a child with special needs.
    In hind sight, I feel like we waited way too long to make the decision. When we got the g tube, my daughters quality of life improved so much. Feeding was no longer a struggle. She started grow and develop so well.
    Feel free to ask any questions you like.
    Hang in there,
  • In reply to Feri:

    I understand your frustration and worry. Yes, my daughter was likely aspirating from the time she began taking all feeds by mouth. She too had an NG tube while in the NICU. As I said her aspirating was leading to chronic pneumonia that would require her to be hospitalized for long periods of time, and needing oxygen because her breathing was so poor. She would become very, very sick. The initial thoughts were her poor lungs from her premature birth, but as the incidents increased the docs began to think more was going on. Surgery is scary... no matter the reason. But sometimes surgery is necessary to prevent bigger complications, more significant complications. NG tubes are not designed to be long term and are the reason g-tubes are more ideal. There are many Share Moms here that have personal experience with the G-tube surgery, and care of it post-op. I will reach out to them and bring your question to their attention. Maybe they can help in easing your concerns and answer your questions. Hang in there.
  • In reply to Karri:

    Thanks Karri, I am happy that your sweat daughter does not have any issue more. you told she was diagnosed in 18 month? is it mean she had silent aspiration from first months. you know, my daughter had a brain surgery when she was 3 weeks old due to grade 3 brain bleeding, it is very hard for me to have another surgery for her. she is now feeding through NG tube ( Her nose) i 'd like to keep feeding through nose but doctors refuse it. so frustrated.
  • Hello Feri
    Sorry you're daughter is in the NICU and struggling with feeding issues. My daughter, former 25 weeker had silent aspiration. She was not diagnosed with this issue until she was almost 18 months old. She had chronic pneumonia and was in and out of the pediatric ICU after being discharged from the NICU at 3 months old. At her age she had already be eating table foods and drinking by mouth so her treatment was a bit different. She was given thickened liquids, to the consistency of a milk shake until her swallowing matured and she could handle thin liquids. Solid foods were not an issue. She improved shortly after the age of 2 years and did well from there on. Given your daughter's young age, and obvious nourishment coming from all liquid (breast milk or formula) the G-tube may be the best option to protect her airway and lungs from pneumonia. Pneumonia is very serious, especially in preemies. The G-tube doesn't have to be permanent. As she grows and matures her swallowing will also mature and her muscle control of this reflex will improve thus protecting her airway and lungs. Once that happens she can be weaned from the g-tube and take all feeds by mouth. Good luck! I'm sure this isn't an easy decision for you.

    Take care,