الفهرس 
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Abstract
Disorders of feeding and swallowing in children are serious and potentially fatal problems. Among infants, particularly those born prematurely, aspiration due to dysphagia may lead to severe pulmonary compromise, and impaired oral and pharyngeal function may rapidly result in failure to thrive. In other children, avoidance behaviors and inadequate intake may lead to chronic malnutrition. Prompt and thorough evaluation of swallowing disorders is therefore critical if complications are to be avoided.
Swallowing and feeding disorders in children can be understood best in reference to a solid understanding of normal development of these skills. The pharyngeal swallow is observed early in fetal life, by the IO’h to the II th week of gestation.
Suckling precedes sucking. Suckling is the prominent pattern from birth to about 6 months’ developmental age. It is characterized by backward and forward movements of the tongue .Sucking is characterized by strong activity of the intrinsic muscles of the tongue that raise and lower the body of the tongue .The transition from suckling to sucking over the first several months of life sets the stage for spoon feeding and cup drinking by 4 to 6 months of age. This period also may be crucial in upper respiratory I upper digestive tract activity and considerable central nervous system maturation.