Syringe Feeding Effectiveness in Cleft Palate Babies

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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of using a disposable syringe, without the needle, to feed 1-14-week-old cleft lip and palate babies and compare findings with a control group of normal babies. Methods: 57 cleft lip and palate babies were randomly assigned at birth to feeding with a syringe (intervention) or feeding with cup and spoon. Group 1 consisted of 38 syringe fed babies and Group 2 consisted of 19 cup and spoon fed babies. All babies that had both unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate who could not latch onto the breast or feeding bottle were selected for the study. For a control group, 55 normal babies who kept to an immunization schedule for the first 14 weeks without any history of ill health were studied. Both of the cleft groups were compared to these 55 normal babies. The group of 55 were breast-fed directly or with a feeding bottle. The cleft babies were followed up weekly to assess the type of feed and difficulty in …show more content…

For example the present study shows that the feeding time in babies fed with the syringe was 10ml/1.25min compared with 10ml/2.08 min without palatal obturation for cup and spoon fed babies at 6 weeks. This demonstrates that babies fed with either the syringe or the cup and spoon showed a faster feeding time than those fed with the obturator. The syringe feeding also indicated a greater volume of feed and faster feeding time. This study also shows less spill and regurgitation which is most likely a result of the tip of the syringe entering the oral cavity away from the cleft. Since the volume of the milk is measured, a more efficient delivery of the milk is possible, resulting in fewer spills. Syringe feeing is practical, easier to use, the baby gets a larger of feed and takes a shorter time to

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