Esophageal Dysphagia in Children | Symptoms & Causes
What are the symptoms of esophageal dysphagia in children?
The primary symptom of esophageal dysphagia is the sensation of having food or liquid stuck in the esophagus after swallowing. Other symptoms may include:
- choking
- coughing
- wheezing or hoarseness
- regurgitation or heartburn
- drooling
- weight loss or failure to thrive
What causes esophageal dysphagia in children?
Esophageal dysphagia in children can have many causes. These include:
- achalasia (the failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax and allow food to pass into the stomach)
- gastroesophageal reflux disease
- esophageal strictures
- esophageal rings
- esophageal tumors
- eosinophilic esophagitis
- ingestion of foreign bodies
- allergies
- other inflammatory conditions
