Respiratory Swallowing Coordination in Healthy Term Neonates during the First 4 Days of Life

Abstract

Background: This is a cross-sectional, observational study evaluating the coordination between respiration and swallowing in 22 healthy term neonates from birth to 4 days of age. Methods: Respiratory swallowing coordination was measured using Kay digital swallowing workstation by placing the nasal cannula at the entrance of the nares during breast feeding. Swallowing apnea duration (SAD) as well as the percentage of distribution of swallows in each respiratory phase such as mid-expiration (EE), shift from inspiration to expiration (IE), shift from expiration to inspiration (EI), and mid-inspiration (II) was evaluated. Results: Results showed that SAD in neonates is lesser than that of adults. Neonates preferentially swallowed at mid-expiratory phase which was followed by the transition among IE, EI, and the mid-inspiratory phases. The predominant respiratory swallow phase seen in neonates is same as that of adults. Conclusion: The findings of the objectives of the study gave insight about the temporal relation between respiration and swallowing in neonates and forms the basis for comparison against disordered respiratory swallowing coordination in neonates at a risk for dysphagia.