Pediatric Aerodigestive Clinic in NJ | Hackensack Meridian Health

Pediatric Aerodigestive Clinic

Comprehensive, Coordinated Care in New Jersey for Children with Airway and Swallowing Disorders

When your child faces challenges related to breathing, swallowing, or feeding, finding the right care team can make all the difference. The Pediatric Aerodigestive Clinic brings together a multidisciplinary group of specialists dedicated to helping children with complex airway and digestive conditions.

Our collaborative approach means your child can see experts from several specialties in one place, including gastroenterology, pulmonology, feeding therapy, and otolaryngology (ENT). This coordinated care model ensures that every aspect of your child’s condition is evaluated and managed with a shared plan designed to improve their comfort, safety, and overall well-being.

Conditions We Treat

Children may benefit from aerodigestive care for a variety of airway, swallowing, or feeding conditions, including:

  • Aspiration disorders (when food or liquid enters the lungs instead of the esophagus)
  • Congenital tracheal or esophageal conditions (TEF or TEF/EA)
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Genetic syndromes affecting neurological and muscular control
  • Laryngeal and tracheal stenosis (narrowed airway)
  • Swallowing disorders
  • Tracheostomy dependence
  • Vocal cord disorders

Services and Evaluations Offered

Our clinic provides access to a full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services tailored to each child’s needs, including:

  • Bronchoscopy
  • Clinical feeding and swallowing evaluation
  • Coordinated outpatient diagnostic laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, and esophagoscopy (if appropriate)
  • Feeding evaluation and treatment
  • Functional endoscopic evaluation of swallowing
  • Laryngoscopy
  • Modified barium swallow
  • Office visits with multiple providers and nurse coordinators on the same day
  • Pediatric surgical consultation, if needed
  • Upper endoscopy

By coordinating these services, we reduce the number of appointments families need to attend separately and help streamline the care process for children with complex needs.

More Information

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Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center
30 Prospect Ave, Hackensack, NJ 07601
551-996-2000

K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center
1945 Route 33, Neptune NJ 07753
732-775-5500

Understanding Aerodigestive Care for Children

A pediatric aerodigestive clinic focuses on children with combined airway, swallowing, and digestive issues. Rather than visiting multiple specialists individually, families meet with an integrated team that works together to evaluate and treat overlapping conditions.
Frequent choking or coughing during feeding, chronic respiratory infections, or difficulty swallowing are common signs that may prompt a referral to our clinic.
Children are evaluated by specialists in pulmonology, gastroenterology, otolaryngology, and feeding therapy. Together, the team develops a care plan specific to your child’s needs.
Depending on your child’s condition, tests may include bronchoscopy, laryngoscopy, upper endoscopy, or swallow studies to better understand how the airway and digestive systems are functioning.
Bring any previous medical records, imaging, or test results. Our team will guide you on what to expect and ensure your child feels comfortable throughout the visit.
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