The utility of the lipid-laden macrophage index for the evaluation of aspiration in children

Chronic or recurrent aspiration of gastric contents or ingested material may result in significant pulmonary morbidity in infants and children. There are certain conditions, including disorders of neuromuscular weakness or developmental abnormalities, that may predispose some children to oral aspiration. In other cases, an anatomic defect, such as a laryngeal cleft, is the culprit. The association between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) disease...