Swallowing evaluation in infants with congenital heart disease and Down syndrome : clinical study cases

This study had the aim to perform clinical swallowing evaluation in infants diagnosed with Down syndrome and congenital heart disease (complete atrioventricular canal) suspected to have swallowing disorders hospitalized in unit 2A and Pediatric ICU of instituition.It is a descriptive and qualitative study in which was possible to assess two infants during the proposed period. It was used a sample profile protocol to collect data about clinical history and diagnoses from patients records and the Instrumento de avaliação para prontidão do prematuro para alimentação oral by Fujinaga (2002) for clinical swallowing evaluation. The pacients presented results of oropharyngeal dysphagia and low scores invalidating exclusively oral feed. The treatment was oral stimulation and oral feeding volume controlled. The findings contribute to the literature regarding the correlation between dysphagia, congenital heart defects, genetic syndromes and myofunctional disorders. It is concluded that dysphagia was presented as a difficulty symptom to safe and effective oral feed for all infants studied. Prospective larger researches are needed to contribute with this clinical cases study and thus identify other risk factors for dysphagia and specific treatment for children with Down syndrome and swallowing disorders associated.

Deglutition Disorders; Down Syndrome; Heart Defects, Congenital; Infant; Deglutition; Evaluation