Pediatric Aerodigestive Program
The Swedish Pediatric Aerodigestive Program is a program dedicated to caring for children with complex breathing and swallowing disorders. We diagnose and treat children with disorders of the aerodigestive tract, many of which are related to prematurity. Our patients are children with a history of repeated breathing tube insertions (intubations), recurrent croup, noisy breathing, chronic cough, choking (aspiration), food allergies, recurrent vomiting and difficulties swallowing. We are particularly well prepared to identify and prevent complications affecting children with a history of tracheo-esophageal fistula and/or esophageal atresia.
Our team consists of board-certified specialists in pediatric gastroenterology, pulmonology and otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat). A comprehensive evaluation from the Pediatric Aerodigestive Program consists of a single visit to our clinic. In one room, you can expect to meet with multiple specialists, who will agree on a single treatment plan to best manage your child’s condition.
There are many advantages of having an entire medical team at Swedish:
- A comprehensive one-time evaluation with all your specialists in the same room allows us to provide the best patient care and experience possible, and is cost and time saving for patients and families.
- Families appreciate the convenience and comfort of having one team that speaks with the same voice.
- Our operating rooms have the same staff during every session, which improves safety and efficiency.
- Your team is entirely comprised of attending physicians (fully trained and credentialed doctors).
- We are all pediatric specialists – we know kids.
The Swedish Pediatric Aerodigestive Program is dedicated to managing and treating complex conditions of the airway, respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. The lists below provide a summary of the conditions we treat and services we offer.
- Laryngeal and tracheal stenosis
- Tracheostomy dependence
- Vocal cord paralysis with aspiration
- Aspiration and other swallowing disorders
- Congenital esophageal or airway disorders with airway or breathing problems
- Tracheo-esophageal fistula (TEF)
- Tracheomalcia or bronchomalacia
- Laryngeal cleft
- Syndromes and other conditions affecting neurologic and muscular control with secondary airway/breathing problems
- Breathing problems with concerns for reflux or aspiration
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
- Chronic lung disease
- Bronchiectasis
- Noisy breathing
- Severe asthma
- Sleep apnea
- Airway surgery
- Bronchoscopy
- Laryngeal cleft repair
- Laryngoscopy
- Laryngotracheal reconstruction
- pH impedance testing
- Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
- Tracheotomy
- Upper endoscopy
Print any of the following forms, which can be returned to your clinic in person, via fax or by mail:
- Medical history (for first appointment)
- Registration (for first appointment)
- Authorization for disclosure of health information (to release your records to/from another office)
- Permission to treat an unaccompanied minor (used when a child under age 18 goes to the doctor without parent or guardian)
- Permission to treat a minor when accompanied by non-parent or guardian (used to designate an adult other than the parent or guardian to give consent to medical or surgical treatment by any licensed physician or hospital)