The duration of swallowing apnea is longest in which group?

• A. Premature infants
• B. Full term infants
• C. Young children
• D. Healthy elderly people

Answer: (D)

Swallowing apnea is the brief breath-hold that occurs during the pharyngeal swallow to protect the airway. The length of this pause reflects how well the swallow and breathing are coordinated and how efficiently the airway is sealed during the swallow. In infancy, swallowing is still developing and the apnea tends to be shorter or more variable. As children grow, coordination improves but isn’t as affected by aging. In healthy elderly people, aging brings slower neuromuscular timing, reduced strength and mobility of the larynx and pharynx, and delayed swallow reflex, all of which extend the respiratory pause needed to complete the swallow safely. Because of these age-related changes, the duration of swallowing apnea tends to be longest in healthy elderly individuals.