The pediatric version of the eating assessment tool-10 has discriminant ability to detect aspiration in children with neurological impairments

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the ability of the Pediatric version of the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (PEDI-EAT-10) to detect aspiration in children with neurological impairments. Methods: Two hundred and fifty-four children were included. Swallowing function was imaged with videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS). The penetration and aspiration scale (PAS) was used to determine the penetration and aspiration severity. Parents completed the PEDI-EAT-10, which is a 10 item, reliable, and valid dysphagia symptom specific outcome instrument. Key Results: The mean age of children was 59.91 ± 55.33 months (min = 18, max = 315), of which 52.8% were male. The mean PEDI-EAT-10 of children with airway aspiration (PAS > 5) was 22.32 ± 10.73 (min = 0, max = 40) and the mean PEDI-EAT-10 of children who did not have aspiration (PAS < 6) was 12.35 ± 8.64 (min = 0, max = 40). A linear correlation was found between PEDI-EAT-10 and PAS scores of children (r = 0.41, P < 0.001). The sensitivity of a PEDI-EAT-10 score greater than 12 in predicting aspiration was 77% and the specificity was 54%. A PEDI-EAT-10 score greater than 12 has a positive predictive value of 69% and a negative predictive value of 64%. Conclusions and Inferences: The PEDI-EAT-10 could be used to detect unsafe airway issues to identify and refer children for further instrumental swallowing evaluation.