Maternal periconceptional folic acid supplementation reduced risks of non-syndromic oral clefts in offspring.

Maternal periconceptional folic acid supplementation (FAS) has been documented to be associated with decreased risk of nonsyndromic oral clefts (NsOC). However, the results remain inconclusive. In this population-based case-control study of 807 singletons affected by NsOC and 8070 healthy neonates who were born between October 2010 and September 2015 in Chengdu, China, we examined the association of maternal FAS with the risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NsCL/P), and cleft palate (NsCP). Unconditional logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidential intervals (CI). Significant associations were found between maternal periconceptional FAS and decreased risk of NsCL/P (aOR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.33-0.51). This protective effect was also detected for NsCL (aOR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.30-0.58) and NsCLP (aOR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.31-0.54). Both maternal FAS started before and after the last menstrual period (LMP) were inversely associated with NsCL/P (before LMP, aOR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.33-0.56; after LMP, aOR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.33-0.51). The association between NsCP and maternal FAS initiating before LMP was also found (aOR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.30-0.90). The findings suggest that maternal periconceptional FAS can reduce the risk of each subtype of NsCL/P in offspring, while the potential effect on NsCP needs further investigations.

Effectiveness of two feeding methods in improving energy intake and growth of infants with cleft palate: a randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two feeding methods advocated for infants with cleft palate: (a) a squeezable plastic container with a narrow, long crosscut nipple (squeezable cleft palate nurser); and (b) a standard nipple with a crosscut (crosscut nipple). The effectiveness of a nutrition intervention protocol for these infants was also documented. DESIGN: Thirty-one infants (median age = 15 days) were randomized to one of two feeding methods (18 infants, squeezable cleft lip/palate nurser; 13 infants, crosscut nipple) within sex (21 boys, 10 girls) and palatal defect (22 cleft lip and palate, 9 isolated cleft palate) categories. The intervention included feeding technique instructions, nutrition counseling at each clinic visit, use of the same 20 kcal/oz standard formula for 12 months, and introduction of infant and soft table foods at 6 months. Four-day food records and growth data were obtained. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean energy and protein intakes at 3 and 6 months of age and growth measurements during the first 18 months of life were obtained. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: A repeated measures analysis of variance for intakes was performed with time as the repeated measure and feeding method as the covariable. Similar analyses were completed for growth measures with sex and feeding method as covariates. RESULTS: Mean energy intake at 3 and 6 months of age (P = .24) and growth measurements during the first 18 months of life (P values: weight gain [grams per day], .73; weight, .21; length, .07; head circumference, .18; triceps and subscapular skinfolds and mid-arm circumference, .47, .48, and .69, respectively) were not significantly different. Both feeding methods were effective in supporting normal growth. APPLICATIONS: With adequate instruction related to the use of either feeding technique and close nutrition follow-up early in infancy, a dietitian or other health care practitioner may advise the use of either feeding method. These data support the need for feeding and nutrition education and early nutrition intervention.

Atuação fonoaudiológica na Unidade De Terapia Intensiva em bebê com síndrome de pterígeo poplíteo / Speech-language therapy at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with a baby with popliteal pterygium syndrome

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a intervenção fonoaudiológica para a adequação da função alimentar por meio da avaliação e tratamento do sistema estomatognático e suas funções. O estudo foi feito a partir do relato de caso de um recém-nascido portador da Síndrome de Pterígio Poplíteo, que foi alimentado por sonda, atendido na Unidade de Tratamento Intensivo Neonatal. A avaliação fonoaudiológica apresentou os seguintes resultados: mandíbula retraída com pouca abertura, gengivas superiores e inferiores hipertróficas, palato com fissura pós-forame incisivo incompleta, reflexos orais de alimentação (busca, sucção, deglutição) presentes e adequados; reflexos de defesa (mordida, gag) anteriorizados e exacerbados. Apresentou pouca tolerância ao toque intra-oral. A sucção não nutritiva teve como resultado um número de sucções/pausas de 3:1, com ritmo presente, com força débil. Na sucção nutritiva, por meio da mamadeira, apresentou sucções/pausa de 5:1, com pausas longas. Foram observados sinais de estresse de alteração respiratória, estridor inspiratório leve, um episódio de engasgo e reflexo de gag anteriorizado e exacerbado, demonstrando hipersensibilidade oral em resposta ao bico convencional da mamadeira. Foram realizadas cinco sessões de intervenção fonoaudiológica, com orientações para a mãe e a equipe de enfermagem sobre postura, estimulação oral e uso de bico ortodôntico. O recém-nascido teve alta com via oral plena e com bom ganho de peso.

The aim of this study was to describe the speech-language intervention for the adequacy of the alimentary function through assessment and treatment of the stomatognathic system and its functions. The study was carried out based on the case report of a newborn with popliteal pterygium syndrome, fed by tube while taken care of at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The speech-language assessment presented the following results: retracted jaw with little opening, hypertrofic inferior and superior gums, incomplete cleft palate, present and adequate oral reflexes (search, sucking, swallowing), anterior trigger of the gag reflex and overactive bite reflex. The oral sensitiveness was impaired. The non-nutritive sucking resulted in a ratio of 3:1 sucks per burst, with rhythm, but weak. In the nutritive sucking with a bottle, the newborn presented a 5:1 sucks per burst ratio, with long pauses. Signs of stress were observed, with breathing alteration, mild inspiratory stridor, a choking episode, and anterior and overactive gag reflex, demonstrating oral hypersensitivity in response to the use of a conventional bottle teat. Five weekly sessions of speech-language therapy were carried out, with orientations to the mother and the nursing team regarding position, oral stimulation and use of orthodontic bottle teats. The newborn was discharged with full oral feeding and good weight gain.