The Norton Children’s Aerodigestive Disorders Clinic aims to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment of complex airway, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract disorders in children. These disorders affect the aerodigestive tract, which includes the organs and tissue of the respiratory tract and the upper part of the digestive tract.

Our multidisciplinary approach to care allows your child to be evaluated by several pediatric specialists all in the same visit. These specialists share clinic space together, working to develop a holistic, personalized treatment plan to meet your child’s unique needs. If your child needs any procedures, the multidisciplinary team will work together with pediatric anesthesiology to minimize the need for your child to be under sedation or anesthesia multiple times. Our nurse navigator will guide your family through the visit to ensure a seamless experience.

Aerodigestive Conditions We Treat

• Airway malacia: This is when the airway is soft and prone to collapse, which can cause chronic gasping, coughing and respiratory infections.
• Aspiration: This occurs when food or liquid enters the airway instead of the esophagus; it also can happen when something re-enters the throat from the stomach.
• Bronchiectasis: This condition occurs when lung tissue becomes scarred due to inflammation and infection.
• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia: This chronic lung condition affects newborns and infants with lung damage due to being on a respirator and/or oxygen for a prolonged amount of time.
• Chronic respiratory and gastrointestinal tract issues: These can be brought on by cerebral palsy, CHARGE syndrome, Down syndrome or other neurological conditions that may affect muscular control.
• Dysphagia: This condition causes difficulty swallowing and may cause a sensation of obstruction in the neck or chest.
• Esophageal atresia: This congenital condition causes the upper esophagus to end instead of connecting to the lower esophagus and stomach.
• Gastroesophageal reflux: This causes stomach contents, including acidic stomach juices, fluid or foods, to return to the esophagus more than anticipated.
• Laryngeal cleft: This is an abnormal opening between the larynx (airway) and the esophagus, allowing food and liquid to pass into the lungs.
• Vocal cord paralysis/immobility: This condition happens when one or both vocal cords do not move as they should, causing issues with a child’s voice, swallowing and breathing.
• Tracheal stenosis: This condition causes narrowing of the windpipe.
• Tracheoesophageal fistula: This is an abnormal connection between the esophagus and trachea, often causing an underdeveloped, incomplete esophagus.
• Tracheostomy dependence: A child has this when they need to use a tracheostomy device to be able to have a safe, open airway.

Norton Children’s Aerodigestive Disorders Clinic Specialties

The Norton Children’s Aerodigestive Disorders Clinic core team consists of board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians, therapists, nurses and other health care professionals, including:

• Gastroenterologists
• Pulmonologists
• Ear, nose and throat physicians (also called otolaryngologists)
• Pediatric surgeons
• Speech therapists
• Dietitians