Perspectiva fonoaudiológica de la triada funcional del neonato pretérmino.

Abstract

The preterm neonate may present several conditions that compromise the functioning of the sucking-swallowing-breathing triad, which can have repercussions on their overall development. In these cases, the speech-language pathologist (SLP) is responsible for assessing and intervening in any disruptions to this functional triad. However, there is currently limited involvement of SLPs in the neonatology field. Thus, this research study, entitled “Speech Therapy Perspective of the Functional Triad in Preterm Newborns” aims to describe the speech therapy approach to the sucking - swallowing - breathing triad in preterm newborns to demonstrate the need for SLP professional within the neonatology area. This study is a non-experimental, qualitative research with a descriptive scope, conducted through a bibliographic review of articles, journals, scientific books, and theses found in scientific databases such as Dialnet, PubMed, Scielo, Redalyc, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect. A total of fifty-five articles were collected, and after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 20 were selected for analysis. The review of the selected literature indicated that SLPs have a range of tests, batteries, and evaluation tools to accurately identify functional difficulties and provide diagnosis and treatment tailored to the needs of premature newborns. In conclusion, the study demonstrates the need for speech therapist involvement in the neonatology field by highlighting the actions carried out in response to the functional alterations observed in this population.