[Effect of abnormal gagging reflex on the possibility of aspiration in mentally retarded children].

The gag reflex promoting aspiration was examined in 262 mentally retarded (MR) children followed up for 3 years due to respiratory illnesses. It was present in 24.1% of MR children and in 91.6% in a control group of children, the difference being statistically significant. A similar significant difference was between the number of children with psychopharmaceutical treatment and the incidence of gag reflex impairment in them. The therapeutic influencing of the swallowing reflex by medicaments is contraindicated in MR children for inducing epileptic seizures. The main point is to prevent aspiration as a stimulus for respiratory disease occurrence. The most important measures are a focused attention of the staff during meals and feeding of MR children and its systematic further education concerning these problems.