Dysphagia in infants and children.

The history and physical examination provides in most patients sufficient information regarding the aetiology of dysphagia in childhood. However, dysphagia might in some rare cases be a diagnostic challenge, as e.g. in patients with gastro-oesophageal disease without typical oesophageal symptoms (regurgitation, emesis). In this paper, most interest will be given to these conditions causing dysphagia in whom the history and physical examination are less relevant. The percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy offers new therapeutic possibilities. Perhaps more than in adults, a correct assessment of dysphagia in childhood necessitates a close collaboration between different sub-specialists such as a paediatric oto-rhino-laryngologist, neurologist, pneumologist and gastro-enterologist.