الفهرس 
Title : Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing in infants graduated from NICU
AbstractOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Background:Swallowing is a basic life-sustaining function. The incidence of swallowing dysfunction in children is increasing which is partly attributable to the improved survival rate of infants born prematurely or with life-threatening medical diagnoses.The ability to safely and accurately assess the swallowing function in high-risk newborns and young infants is of vital importance.This study aimed at screening newborns who had been admitted previously to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for any swallowing disorders by clinical evaluation and flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES).Materials and methods: In this prospective cohort study 150 newborns (75 full-term and 75 preterm) were recruited but 20 had to be excluded due to nasal stenosis. For all 130 included newborns detailed medical and feeding history was taken (including perinatal history, NICU stay details, and discharge status) and they were clinically examined at time of FEES.The results of FEES were meticulously documented. Results: The mean age and weight of the newborns (66 full-term and 64 preterm) were at the time of FEES 59.63 ±35.10 days and 3.68±0.979 kg, respectively and none experienced any complication during FEES. Their commonest diagnosis at NICU admission was jaundice (38/130) followed by respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (31/130) and pneumonia (20/130). Ninety-six of newborns had started feeding by oro-gastric tube and 34 are currently being both breast and formula fed. Forty-six newborns (35%) showed no abnormality on FEES.The frequency of the different swallowing disorders detected by FEES were: 79 cases of reflux ,79 cases of penetration, 39 cases of aspiration, 84 cases with structural abnormalities and 84 cases of pooling (77 occurring at hypopharyngeal inlet &pyriform, 2 at hypopharyngeal inlet, pyriform and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and 5 only at LES)