Raol, N., Schrepfer, T., & Hartnick, C. (2018). Aspiration and Dysphagia in the Neonatal Patient. Clinics in perinatology, 45(4), 645-660.

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There are 3 major types of aspiration: anterograde (occurring before, during, and after the swallow), retrograde (as occurs with gastroesophageal reflux), and silent aspiration (no accompanying symptoms). Aspiration has the potential to cause permanent damage to the developing lungs of infants and children. Aspiration in children includes oral feeds and secretions (direct aspiration) and reflux contents (indirect aspiration). Pulmonary aspiration is present in one-half of pediatric patients with unexplained or refractory respiratory symptoms, such as cough. It can cause recurrent respiratory illness, pneumonia, and lung damage, requiring frequent hospitalizations.6 Etiologies of dysphagia and aspiration can be divided broadly into 5 categories:
Anatomic abnormalities (ie, craniofacial anomalies, laryngotracheoesophageal clefts, laryngomalacia);
Neurologic abnormalities (ie, intrauterine stroke, posterior fossa malformations, neuromuscular disorders);
Cardiopulmonary disease affecting the suck–swallow–breathe pattern (ie, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cardiac disease, infection);
Gastrointestinal etiology (ie, reflux); and
Other/unknown.

The diagnosis and management of dysphagia and aspiration in neonates represent a significant challenge for physicians, with management requiring long-term medical supervision and attention. Without intervention, the patient may develop recurrent illness, inadequate nutrition, and the need for supplemental nutrition that, if continued for an extended period of time, may result in oral aversion and refusal behaviors. Successful management begins with a thorough evaluation with a complete history and physical examination and appropriate imaging studies to identify the etiology and potential targets for intervention.

Neonatal dysphagia and aspiration can be difficult to treat. Multiple etiologies can be responsible for feeding and swallowing issues, including prematurity, structural abnormalities, neurologic delay, infectious etiology, and reflux. Identifying the etiology will help to guide management. Multidisciplinary team management, including otolaryngology, neonatologists, speech-language pathologists is necessary to achieve optimal short and long-term outcomes in these patients.