Neonatal care of infants with cleft lip and/or palate: feeding orientation and evolution of weight gain in a nonspecialized Brazilian hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To survey the feeding orientation received during the postnatal period by the parents of cleft babies, as well as the location where they receive the orientation; to identify resources used in feeding; and to assess the correlation of the child's weight with the surgical procedure schedule.


METHODS
During consultation for diagnosis and genetic counseling in a general tertiary hospital, 26 parents of cleft babies born in different hospitals were interviewed based on a semistructured protocol and spontaneous reports.


RESULTS
Cleft palate was present in 42.31% (11/26), cleft lip/palate in 50% (13/26), and cleft lip in 7.69% (2/26) of the cases. Feeding orientation was given in maternities to 72% (18/25) and in specific rehabilitation centers to 24% (6/ 25) of the parents. Breast-feeding was encouraged in every case. Nevertheless, other feeding resources were necessary, especially bottles. Surgical procedure delays caused by poor weight gain occurred in 66.7% (12/18).


CONCLUSIONS
Neonatal feeding orientation was not systematically given in every case. Because it is an important way to achieve an effective weight gain, educational programs for nonspecialized health professionals, as well as regular pediatric follow-up and specialized multi-professional teams, could improve nutritional intake and could move the schedule for surgical procedures forward. The results also suggest that specific neonatal health care for cleft babies should be part of health policy.
Amstalden-Mendes
Lívia Gobby
LG
Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
Magna
Luis Alberto
LA
Gil-da-Silva-Lopes
Vera Lúcia
VL
D000328:Adult; D001903:Bottle Feeding; D001938:Brazil; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003625:Data Collection; D004435:Eating; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D015430:Weight Gain