Feeding and Swallowing Issues in Infants With Craniofacial Anomalies

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 13-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Kane Miller ◽  
Lauren L. Madhoun

The problems with feeding and swallowing that occur as a result of clefts and craniofacial anomalies range in severity. The extent of clefting, as well as other structural, airway, and neurologic issues, are factors that contribute to potential difficulty with oral feeding mechanics and with the integrity of airway protection during swallowing. Oral motor dysfunction in conjunction with obstruction in the upper airway secondary to anatomic or physiologic anomalies has the potential to cause serious disruption to the necessary coordination of respiration and swallowing. Timely identification of problems is necessary to address threats to nutritional status and/or respiratory health. The pediatric speech-language pathologist has a primary role in the clinical assessment of oral motor/feeding skills, and in the recognition of clinical signs and symptoms of swallowing dysfunction that may warrant referral for instrumental assessment of swallowing function and airway protection. The objective of this article is to summarize the potential feeding difficulties and feeding strategy options for patients with Craniofacial Microsomia, 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, Treacher Collins Syndrome, and Pierre Robin Sequence. Awareness of the factors that impact upon the success of feeding and the efficacy of compensatory feeding strategies is key to best practice and successful patient outcomes.

Author(s):  
Zakia Sultana ◽  
Kathryn A. Hasenstab ◽  
Sudarshan R Jadcherla

Swallowing is a critical function for survival and development in human neonates, and requires cross-system coordination between neurologic, airway, and digestive motility systems. Development of pharyngo-esophageal motility is influenced by intra- and extra-uterine development, pregnancy complications, and neonatal comorbidities. Primary role of these motility reflex mechanisms is to maintain aerodigestive homeostasis under basal and adaptive biologic conditions including oral feeding, gastroesophageal reflux, and sleep. Failure may result in feeding difficulties, airway compromise, dysphagia, aspiration syndromes, and chronic eating difficulties requiring prolonged tube feeding. We review the integration of cross-systems physiology to describe the basis for physiologic and pathophysiologic neonatal aerodigestive functions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Changhun Han ◽  
Jaeho Shin ◽  
Ga Won Jeon

Background. Discharge of preterm infants is often delayed because of their oral feeding difficulties. Independent oral feeding is the last obstacle to pass after managing acute and chronic morbidities. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors of swallowing dysfunction and suggest proper interventions to reduce aspiration and chronic lung injury. Methods. Infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (January 2016 to December 2018) who were performed modified barium swallow study due to oral feeding difficulties were enrolled. Modified barium swallow study was done≥postmenstrual age 37 weeks to limit radiation exposure. Clinical data were collected retrospectively. Swallowing dysfunction was defined as inadequate epiglottic closure, laryngeal penetration, or tracheal aspiration according to result of the modified barium swallow study. Results. Among a total of 54 infants enrolled, nine (16.7%) were term infants, 13 (24.1%) were late preterm infants (gestational age, 34-36 weeks), and 32 (59.3%) were early preterm infants (gestational age<34 weeks). Gestational age and birth weight were smaller in infants with swallowing dysfunction. Total duration of mechanical ventilation and duration of invasive ventilation were longer in infants with swallowing dysfunction. The risk of swallowing dysfunction increased by 11.2 times for infants with gestational age<29 weeks compared to infants with gestational age≥29 weeks. Swallowing dysfunction was improved in most infants after they became matured. They showed different time and rate of maturation with the help of rehabilitation through swallow therapy and dietary modification with thickened formula. Conclusion. Preterm infants with gestational age<29 weeks or with longer ventilation duration are at a higher risk of aspiration. Rehabilitation of swallow therapy and dietary modification with thickened formula can be helpful interventions to prevent aspiration and chronic lung injury and reassure parents until independent oral feeding is possible.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (05) ◽  
pp. 530-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Fucile ◽  
Sarah Phillips ◽  
Kelly Bishop ◽  
Meagan Jackson ◽  
Taylor Yuzdepski ◽  
...  

Objective Preterm infants are at risk of encountering oral feeding difficulties which impede on the transition to independent oral feeds. The objective of this study was to identify a pivotal period where regressions are most likely to occur during their oral feeding progression. Study Design This is a retrospective study on 101 infants born <35 weeks' gestation. The sample was separated into two groups, infants who experienced a regression during their oral feeding progression and those who did not. A pivotal period was defined as a time frame where setbacks (a decrease in oral feed attempts by one) are most likely to occur at the start (1–2 oral feed attempts per day), middle (3–5 oral feed attempts per day), or end (6–8 oral feed attempts per day) of the oral feeding progression. Result Eighty-two percent of infants experienced setbacks; 45% of all setbacks occurred at the middle time frame (p = 0.03). Infants' degree of maturity and enteral tube feeding intolerances were associated with increased occurrence of setbacks (p = 0.04). Conclusion The midpoint in the oral feeding progression is a pivotal period where setbacks are most likely to occur. This time frame can be used by clinicians to evaluate oral-motor skills for earlier provision of interventions to reduce the occurrence of oral feeding difficulties in this high-risk population.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 1507-1515
Author(s):  
Lauren L. Madhoun ◽  
Robert Dempster

Purpose Feeding challenges are common for infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). While sufficient oral feeding is typically a goal during NICU admission, this can be a long and complicated process for both the infant and the family. Many of the stressors related to feeding persist long after hospital discharge, which results in the parents taking the primary role of navigating the infant's course to ensure continued feeding success. This is in addition to dealing with the psychological impact of having a child requiring increased medical attention and the need to continue to fulfill the demands at home. In this clinical focus article, we examine 3 main areas that impact psychosocial stress among parents with infants in the NICU and following discharge: parenting, feeding, and supports. Implications for speech-language pathologists working with these infants and their families are discussed. A case example is also included to describe the treatment course of an infant and her parents in the NICU and after graduation to demonstrate these points further. Conclusion Speech-language pathologists working with infants in the NICU and following hospital discharge must realize the family context and psychosocial considerations that impact feeding progression. Understanding these factors may improve parental engagement to more effectively tailor treatment approaches to meet the needs of the child and family.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Umemoto ◽  
Yoshio Tsuboi ◽  
Hirokazu Furuya ◽  
Takayasu Mishima ◽  
Shinsuke Fujioka ◽  
...  

Background: To investigate the impact of dysphagia in Perry syndrome (PS), an autosomal dominant parkinsonism caused by mutation of DCTN1, which is associated with hypoventilation, depression, and weight loss. Case Presentation: We used tongue pressure measurements and manofluorography to investigate swallowing function in 2 patients with PS. Case 1, a 60-year-old male showing parkinsonism, and case 2, a 49-year-old male admitted with pneumonia, were diagnosed as having PS based on the DCTN1 gene analysis. Case 1 showed a pharyngeal retention of the bolus on videofluorography (VF) and a few swallows were required for its passage into the esophagus. However, tongue pressure and manometry were within the normal range. This patient could eat a normal diet under supervision. Case 2 required artificial ventilation and tube feeding on admission. The VF image showed a slow transfer of the bolus, delayed swallow reflex, and pharyngeal retention of the bolus that required several swallows for its passage into the esophagus. The tongue pressure was within the normal range, but manometry showed a significant decrease in pressure at the hypopharynx and upper esophageal sphincter. The oral intake of the patients was limited to 2 cups of jelly per day. Conclusions: The investigation of swallowing dysfunction of 2 cases of PS showed that maintaining pharyngeal pressure within the normal range was very important for oral feeding success and prognosis.


Author(s):  
Danna Chen ◽  
Zhen Yang ◽  
Chujie Chen ◽  
Pu Wang

Objective This review article aimed to explore the effect of oral motor intervention on oral feeding in preterm infants through a meta-analysis. Method Eligible studies were retrieved from four databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) up to July 2020 and screened based on established selection criteria. Thereafter, relevant data were extracted and heterogeneity tests were conducted to select appropriate effect models according to the chi-square test and I 2 statistics. Assessment of risk of bias was performed among the included studies. Finally, a meta-analysis was carried out to evaluate the effect of oral motor intervention in preterm infants according to four clinical indicators: transition time for oral feeding, length of hospital stay, feeding efficiency, and weight gain. Results Eighteen randomized controlled trials with 848 participants were selected to evaluate the effect of oral motor intervention on preterm infants. The meta-analysis results revealed that oral motor intervention could effectively reduce the transition time to full oral feeds and the length of hospital stay as well as increase feeding efficiency and weight gain. Conclusions Oral motor intervention was an effective way to improve oral feeding in preterm infants. It is worthy to be used widely in hospitals to improve the clinical outcomes of preterm infants and reduce the economic burdens of families and society. Future studies should seek to identify detailed intervention processes and intervention durations for clinical application.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiong Le ◽  
Sheng-hua Zheng ◽  
Lan Zhang ◽  
Li-fen Wu ◽  
Feng-juan Zhou ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives This study was performed to evaluate the effect of oral stimulation with breast milk for preterm infants. Methods A total of 68 subjects form neonatal intensive care unit were randomly assigned into control group (n=20), premature infant oral motor intervention (PIOMI) group (n=25) and premature infant oral motor intervention with breast milk (BM-PIOMI) group (n=23). Results BM-PIOMI group had significant shorter initiation of oral feeding (IOF) time compared to PIOMI group (2.95 days, 95% CI [0.42–5.48]) or control group (9.79 days, 95% CI [7.07–12.51]). BM-PIOMI group had significant sooner transition time from IOF to full oral feeding (FOF) compared to control group (6.68 days, 95% CI [2.2–11.16]), but not to PIOMI group (2.09 days, 95% CI [−2.07 to 6.25]). Length of hospital stay (LOS) did not show statistical different between three groups (control 38.85 ± 14.40 vs. PIOMI 38.48 ± 11.76 vs. BM-PIOMI 38.04 ± 12.2). Growth mixture model identified improvement in non-nutritive sucking (NNS) score in BM-PIOMI group compared to control and PIOMI group (0.8293, p<0.0001, and 0.8296, p<0.0001, respectively). Conclusions Oral stimulation with breast milk can better promotes the oral feeding process of premature infants than the simple oral stimulation, by shorten IOF time and improve early NNS score, but does not shorten transition time from IOF to FOF and LOS. Trial registration The trial identification number is ChiCTR1800019134 (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry http://www.who.int/ictrp/network/chictr2/en/)


2010 ◽  
Vol 128 (5) ◽  
pp. 302-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulianno Molina de Melo ◽  
Gabrielle do Nascimento Holanda Gonçalves ◽  
Ricardo Antenor de Souza e Souza ◽  
Danilo Anunciatto Sguillar

CONTEXT: Neuroglial ectopia has been defined as a mass composed of differentiated neuroectodermal tissue isolated from the spinal canal or cranial cavity and remains rare. This lesion has to be considered in the differential diagnosis among newborn infants with classical symptoms of respiratory distress, neck mass and feeding difficulties. We present a rare case of extensive parapharyngeal and skull base neuroglial ectopia in 6-month-old girl who presented respiratory and feeding obstruction at birth. CASE REPORT: A six-month-old girl who presented upper respiratory and feeding obstruction at birth and was using tracheostomy and gastrostomy tubes was referred to our institution. Complete surgical excision of the mass consisted of a transcervical-transparotid approach with extension to the infratemporal fossa by means of a lateral transzygomatic incision, allowing preservation of all vital neurovascular structures. The anatomopathological examination showed a solid mass with nests of neural tissue, with some neurons embedded in poorly encapsulated fibrovascular stroma, without mitotic areas, and with presence of functioning choroid plexus in the immunohistochemistry assay. Neurovascular function was preserved, thus allowing postoperative decannulation and oral feeding. Despite the large size of the mass, the child has completed one year and six months of follow-up without complications or recurrence. Neuroglial ectopia needs to be considered in diagnosing airway obstruction among newborns. Surgical treatment is the best choice and should be performed on clinically stable patients. An algorithm to guide the differential diagnosis and improve the treatment was proposed.


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