Pediatric dysphagia has increased in recent years because of its growing importance in the fields of speech pathology, pediatrics, otorhinolaryngology, and others. Its prevalence is 25%-45% in children with typical development and 33%-80% in children with a developmental disorder. According to American Speech and Language and Hearing Association (ASHA), speech pathologists should manage, identify, and monitor dysphagia. Thus, the standardization of the processes and procedures for evaluating pediatric dysphagia is important to ensure the safety of procedures and an adequate follow-up of swallowing disorders in childhood. OBJECTIVES: To identify in the available literature, studies about the etiology and evaluation of pediatric dysphagia, and elaborate algorithms for treatment, risk reduction, and follow up of this population. METHODS: Bibliographical research of the MEDLINE, PUBMED, and LILACS databases, from 2000 to 2013. The key words were "pediatric dysphagia," "evaluation," "treatment," "children," "video fluoroscopy," and "management." RESULTS: Ten full articles were selected for review. Based on the literature, an algorithm was developed for the clinical evaluation and follow up of this population. CONCLUSION: The complications of pediatric dysphagia may be reduced if it is diagnosed early and if evaluation and appropriate interventions are performed. The development of an algorithm for pediatric dysphagia favors the guidance for the differential diagnosis and intervention in many different situations.
