Swallowing dysfunction in very low birth weight infants with oral feeding desaturation.
BACKGROUND
We detected swallowing dysfunction by the modified barium swallow (MBS) test and determined risk factors for swallowing dysfunction in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with oral feeding desaturation near discharge.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 41 VLBW infants referred for MBS test because of significant oral feeding desaturation at ≥ 35 weeks of postmenstrual age. Infants who showed impaired airway protection, including inadequate epiglottic closure, laryngeal penetration and/or tracheal aspiration by MBS test, were compared to those without impaired airway protection.


RESULTS
Eleven infants (26.8%) showed impaired airway protection by MBS test. They had a significantly lower gestational age at birth but a similar postmenstrual age compared to those without impaired airway protection. All infants with impaired airway protection were born at ≤ 28 weeks of gestation.


CONCLUSIONS
Swallowing dysfunction resulting in aspiration should be considered as a cause of significant oral feeding desaturation in infants born at ≤ 28 weeks of gestation regardless of postmenstrual age.
Department of Pediatrics, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
Jang Hoon
JH
Lee
Yun Sil
YS
Chang
Hye Soo
HS
Yoo
So Yoon
SY
Ahn
Hyun Joo
HJ
Seo
Seo Hui
SH
Choi
Ga Won
GW
Jeon
Soo Hyun
SH
Koo
Jong Hee
JH
Hwang
Won Soon
WS
Park
D001049:Apnea / Q000453:epidemiology; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology; D007830:Larynx / Q000503:physiopathology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D010100:Oxygen