Oral Feeding Status Research Articles

Improvement of oral function and its impact on oral food intake in subacute stroke patients: A prospective study with dental intervention.

The association between oral food intake and oral function during the subacute stage of stroke is not well known. To investigate (1) oral function changes in subacute stroke patients and (2) association between oral function and oral intake status at several time points. In a prospective study involving 324 stroke patients at a convalescent rehabilitation unit, four oral function parameters (maximum tongue pressure, MTP; lip-tongue motor function, LTMF; maximum occlusal force, MOF and oral health assessment tool, OHAT) were quantitatively measured upon admission (T0), at 1 month (T1) and 2 months (T2). Oral feeding status was assessed using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) and divided based on the FOIS score into the dysphagic and regular diet groups. The changes in oral functions at the three time points were tested using generalized estimating equation analysis. The association between FOIS groups and oral functions at T1 and T2 was analysed by means of logistic regression analysis. All oral function parameters improved significantly over time during the hospital stay (mean differences: 4.9 for MTP, 0.6 for LTMF, 1.1 for MOF and -1.8 for OHAT). The FOIS groups were significantly associated with MTP (p < .05) and OHAT (p < .05) at both T1 and T2. Our findings suggest that oral function significantly improves in patients during subacute stroke rehabilitation and better oral health can be associated with better oral intake. Improved oral function through dental intervention and oral rehabilitation may contribute to gains in oral food intake.

Predictors of the inability to achieve full oral feeding in postoperative infants with CHD.

Poor oral feeding is a known contributor to growth challenges in neonates with complex CHD who require early surgery. Almost 60% of these infants do not achieve full oral feeding by hospital discharge. This study's objective was to identify predictors of the inability to achieve full oral feeding by discharge in neonates with complex CHD following surgical intervention with cardiopulmonary bypass. A retrospective analysis of a prospective study of 192 full-term neonates with complex CHD was performed. A stepwise selection logistic regression model was developed to predict oral feeding status at hospital discharge. Univariate subgroup analysis was performed with groups determined based on a CHD classification system. 58% of neonates (112/192) failed to achieve full oral feeding by hospital discharge. A logistic regression model identified duration of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and reintubation as predictors of the inability to achieve full oral feeding. Among neonates who achieved full oral feeding by discharge (42%), only 7.5% did so after postoperative day 10. Brain maturation, brain injury, and preoperative oral feeding were not predictors of full postoperative oral feeding. Many infants with CHD fail to achieve full oral feeding by time of hospital discharge. Longer duration of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and increased number of intubations were predictive of poor feeding after surgery. Prolonging hospitalisation solely to achieve full oral feeding after postoperative day ten is of limited utility; earlier discharge should be promoted to avoid negative impacts on neonatal neurodevelopment as unintended consequences of lengthy hospitalisations.

Quantitative non-nutritive sucking measurement as a predictor of oral feeding readiness in newborns.

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the parameters of a silver nanowire-based flexible pressure sensor developed to measure the non-nutritive sucking (NNS) performance and predict the nutritive sucking status in preterm infants. Preterm infants who were referred for feeding difficulty during the transition period from tubal feeding to oral feeding were enrolled in our study. A flexible pressure sensor was used to measure the non-nutritive sucking parameters of neonates. The evaluator stimulated the infants' lips and tongue with a pacifier integrated with a sucking pressure sensor, to check whether non-nutritive sucking had occurred. When the sucking reflex was induced, it was measured. The infants' sucking characteristics were subdivided into classifications according to the NOMAS criteria and full oral feeding (FOF) status. Quantitative NNS measurement according to the feeding state was compared between groups. When comparing the quantitative NNS measurement by feeding characteristics, the average sucking pressure was significantly higher in infants in the FOF capable group than those in the incomplete FOF group. In addition, the maximum and average sucking pressure was significantly higher in infants with a normal sucking pattern compared to those with a disorganized sucking pattern. The average NNS pressure was divided over the range of 0-3 kPa and the same weight was assigned to each item. When the optimal cut-off value for the sensitivity and specificity of the average NNS pressure to estimate the FOF was set, a pressure of 1.5 kPa yielded the highest sensitivity (84.62%) and specificity (67.65%) on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.786, and this result was statistically significant. This study presents a quantitative parameter for non-nutritive sucking in preterm infants with the use of a flexible pressure sensor. Results show possible quantitative indicators that can aid in predicting when preterm infants can transition to oral feeding and their prognosis. This will serve as a basis for future research on determining the feeding transition period of newborns with health conditions that affect oral feeding.

Changes in oral health status with dental intervention during the acute to subacute stages of stroke.

To investigate the changes in oral health status with dental intervention during the acute and subacute stages of stroke and their associations with oral intake status. Oral health may deteriorate easily in patients following a stroke. However, data are scarce on the changes in oral health with dental intervention throughout the acute and subacute stages of stroke recovery. We prospectively recruited 98 stroke patients who were admitted to an acute hospital and referred to a dental team and then could be followed at a subacute rehabilitation unit in the same hospital. Provided dental intervention, including oral health care and other general dental treatments, was recorded. Oral health was assessed with Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT), and the changes in OHAT score during the acute and subacute stages were statistically tested. Oral feeding status was examined using Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS). The cohort was divided into the non-oral feeding, dysphagia and regular diet groups based on FOIS score. Differences in OHAT among the oral intake groups were statistically tested. Gross OHAT score did not differ among the oral intake groups at the time of admission (mean ± standard deviation score: 6.5 ± 2.8 for non-oral diet, 5.6 ± 2.4 for dysphagia diet and 5.3 ± 2.1 for regular diet), but improved more in the regular diet group (2.4 ± 1.5) than in the other groups (5.8 ± 3.0 for non-oral diet and 4.0 ± 2.1 for dysphagia diet) at the last evaluation. Oral hygiene scores improved significantly in the acute stage, while scores for dentures and natural teeth ameliorated significantly in the subacute stage. Our findings suggest that appropriate dental intervention in the acute and subacute stages of stroke may contribute to improved oral health and oral food intake.

Association between oral health status and oral food intake level in subacute stroke patients admitted to a convalescent rehabilitation unit.

Stroke patients often suffer from dysphagia during their recovery. We hypothesised that subacute stroke patients with dysphagia had more deteriorated oral health status including muscle strength and motor function. Quantitatively investigate oral health status and identify associations with oral feeding status in stroke patients admitted to a convalescent rehabilitation unit. We prospectively recruited 187 stroke patients admitted to a convalescent rehabilitation unit. Oral feeding status was examined using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), and the cohort was divided into three groups based on FOIS score as non-oral feeding (FOIS-123; 22 patients), dysphagic diet (FOIS-45; 74 patients), and regular diet (FOIS-67; 91 patients) groups. Activities of daily living (ADL) were assessed with the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Oral health status was measured quantitatively in six oral function parameters and Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT), and differences according to the FOIS, age and FIM were statistically tested. In bivariate analysis, two parameters, tongue pressure and tongue-lip motor functions were significantly higher in the regular diet group than in the other groups (P<.01). Gross OHAT score was also significantly better in the regular diet group than in the other groups (P<.01). These significant associations mostly remained in the multiple model after adjusting for age and FIM. This study suggests that, amongst oral health status, tongue strength and motor function, as well as OHAT score, may have strong associations with oral feeding status in subacute stroke patients at convalescent rehabilitation units regardless of ADL levels.

Early and late hospital readmissions after spine deformity surgery in children with cerebral palsy

Retrospective review of a prospectively collected multicenter registry of pediatric patients with cerebral palsy (CP) and neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS) undergoing spinal fusion. To define risk factors for unplanned readmission after elective spinal deformity surgery. Patients with CP and NMS have high rates of hospital readmission; however, risk factors for readmission are not well established. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to compare the demographics, operative and postoperative course, radiographic characteristics, and preoperative Caregiver Priorities and Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities (CPCHILD) questionnaires of patients who did not require readmission to those who required either early readmission (within 90days of the index surgery) or late readmission (readmission after 90days). Of the 218 patients identified, 19 (8.7%) required early readmission, while 16 (7.3%) required late readmission. Baseline characteristics were similar between the three cohorts. On univariate analysis, early readmission was associated with longer duration of surgery (p < 0.001) and larger magnitude of residual deformity (p = 0.003 and p = 0.029 for postoperative major and minor angles, respectively). The health score of the CPCHILD Questionnaire was lower in patients who required early readmission than in those who did not require readmission (p = 0.032). On multivariate analysis, oral feeding status was inversely related to early readmission (less likely to require readmission), while decreasing lumbar lordosis and increasing length of surgery were related to an increased likelihood of early readmission. In patients with CP and NMS, longer surgical time, larger residual major and minor Cobb angles, lumbar lordosis, feeding status, and overall health may be related to a greater likelihood for early hospital readmission after elective spinal fusion. No factors were identified that correlated with an increased need for late hospital readmission after elective spinal fusion in patients with CP. IV.

Oral Feeding Challenges in Children With Tracheostomy Can Improve Feeding Outcomes, Even With the Finding of Aspiration.

It has been suggested that oral feeding trial has therapeutic implications for improving oral-motor and swallowing function in infants and young children fed via an enteral tube or gastrostomy. This study aimed to investigate whether oral feeding challenges in children with tracheostomy could improve feeding outcomes, even with the finding of aspiration compared to those who did not receive oral feeding at all. Children (age <7 years) with tracheostomy who had thin fluid aspiration on videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) were included in this retrospective study. Enrolled children were then divided into two feeding method groups according to the physician's decision at the time of VFSS: oral feeding (OF) group and non-oral feeding (NOF) group. Data were obtained from 47 children (median age: 49.75 months, interquartile range [IQR]: 24.08–79.42). The incidence of pneumonia within 1 year after the VFSS was not different between NOF (n = 17) and OF (n = 30) groups. In OF group, 11 subjects achieved full oral feeding and 16 subjects were in partial oral feeding status 1 year after the VFSS. On the contrary, only one subject achieved full oral feeding and 5 subjects were in partial oral feeding status in NOF group (p < 0.001). Initial and follow-up penetration-aspiration scale on VFSS were different only in the OF group (p = 0.003). These results suggest that oral feeding challenges might be attempted even with the findings of aspiration in infants or young children with tracheostomy.

Decline in tongue pressure during perioperative period in cancer patients without oral feeding

Systemic muscle wasting during perioperative periods has a major impact on postoperative morbidity. However, data on oropharyngeal muscle weakness after surgery are scarce. We examined whether maximum tongue pressure (MTP) and hand grip strength (HGS) diminished during the perioperative period without and with oral feeding in patients receiving cancer surgery. A total of 258 patients undergoing cancer surgery who had visited a hospital dental clinic were prospectively recruited between October 2015 and February 2016. MTP and HGS were measured on the day before and 4 days after surgery. Data on age, sex, tumor location, surgical procedure, and oral feeding status were obtained from patient medical records. We analyzed for differences in the perioperative changes of MTP and HGS according to surgical procedure, oral feeding, and tumor location using ANOVA. Neither MTP nor HGS differed significantly among tumor locations before surgery. The proportion of patients with an oral diet at 4 days after surgery was 36.7% and 34.5% for upper GI and colorectum groups versus 89.2% and 86.4% for genitourinary and lung groups, respectively. During the perioperative period, MTP decreased more significantly in patients without oral feeding than in those with oral feeding at 4 days after surgery (P<0.01). HGS was not affected by postoperative oral feeding status. Both MTP and HGS decreased more significantly in the upper gastrointestinal group than in the genitourinary and lung groups (P<0.05), except for MTP between upper GI and genitourinary groups (P=0.10). MTP, but not HGS, diminishes significantly during the perioperative period without oral feeding. As tongue muscle disuse after surgery may adversely impact postoperative oropharyngeal muscle decline, perioperative tongue muscle strengthening exercises may assist in maintaining muscle strength and good oral feeding.

Somatosensory Modulation of Salivary Gene Expression and Oral Feeding in Preterm Infants: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundDespite numerous medical advances in the care of at-risk preterm neonates, oral feeding still represents one of the first and most advanced neurological challenges facing this delicate population. Objective, quantitative, and noninvasive assessment tools, as well as neurotherapeutic strategies, are greatly needed in order to improve feeding and developmental outcomes. Pulsed pneumatic orocutaneous stimulation has been shown to improve nonnutritive sucking (NNS) skills in preterm infants who exhibit delayed or disordered nipple feeding behaviors. Separately, the study of the salivary transcriptome in neonates has helped identify biomarkers directly linked to successful neonatal oral feeding behavior. The combination of noninvasive treatment strategies and transcriptomic analysis represents an integrative approach to oral feeding in which rapid technological advances and personalized transcriptomics can safely and noninvasively be brought to the bedside to inform medical care decisions and improve care and outcomes.ObjectiveThe study aimed to conduct a multicenter randomized control trial (RCT) to combine molecular and behavioral methods in an experimental conceptualization approach to map the effects of PULSED somatosensory stimulation on salivary gene expression in the context of the acquisition of oral feeding habits in high-risk human neonates. The aims of this study represent the first attempt to combine noninvasive treatment strategies and transcriptomic assessments of high-risk extremely preterm infants (EPI) to (1) improve oral feeding behavior and skills, (2) further our understanding of the gene ontology of biologically diverse pathways related to oral feeding, (3) use gene expression data to personalize neonatal care and individualize treatment strategies and timing interventions, and (4) improve long-term developmental outcomes.MethodsA total of 180 extremely preterm infants from three neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) will be randomized to receive either PULSED or SHAM (non-pulsing) orocutaneous intervention simultaneous with tube feedings 3 times per day for 4 weeks, beginning at 30 weeks postconceptional age. Infants will also be assessed 3 times per week for NNS performance, and multiple saliva samples will be obtained each week for transcriptomic analysis, until infants have achieved full oral feeding status. At 18 months corrected age (CA), infants will undergo neurodevelopmental follow-up testing, the results of which will be correlated with feeding outcomes in the neo-and post-natal period and with gene expression data and intervention status.ResultsThe ongoing National Institutes of Health funded randomized controlled trial R01HD086088 is actively recruiting participants. The expected completion date of the study is 2021.ConclusionsDifferential salivary gene expression profiles in response to orosensory entrainment intervention are expected to lead to the development of individualized interventions for the diagnosis and management of oral feeding in preterm infants.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02696343; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02696343 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6r5NbJ9Ym)

Cue-Based Feeding in the NICU

In NICU settings, caring for neonates born as early as 23 weeks gestation presents unique challenges for caregivers. Traditionally, preterm infants who are learning to orally feed take a predetermined volume of breast milk or formula at scheduled intervals, regardless of their individual ability to coordinate each feeding. Evidence suggests that this volume-driven feeding model should be replaced with a more individualized, developmentally appropriate practice. Evidence from the literature suggests that preterm infants fed via cue-based feeding reach full oral feeding status faster than their volume-feeding counterparts and have shorter lengths of stay in the hospital. Changing practice to infant-driven or cue-based feedings in the hospital setting requires staff education, documentation, and team-based communication.

An Epidemiologic Study on Ageing and Dysphagia in the Acute Care Geriatric-Hospitalized Population: A Replication and Continuation Study.

United States census data project dramatic increases in the geriatric population ageing demographics by 2060 with concomitant health-care consequences. The purpose of this replication and continuation study was to collect new 2014 demographic data relative to ageing, swallow evaluation referral rates, and oral feeding status in geriatric-hospitalized patients for comparison with published data from 2000 to 2007. This was a planned data acquisition study of consecutive hospitalized patients referred for swallow assessments. Swallow evaluation referral rates for 2014 were described according to inpatient discharges, age range 60-105years grouped by decade, gender, admitting diagnostic category, results of swallow evaluations, and oral feeding status. Determination of aspiration risk status was made with the Yale Swallow Protocol and diagnosis of dysphagia made with fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). There were 1348 referrals and 961 patients ≥60years of age participated. Overall swallow evaluation referral rates increased an average of 63% between the comparison years 2007 and 2014 with consistent increases corresponding to the decades, i.e., 60-69 (46%), 70-79 (68%), 80-89 (53%), and 90+(222%). A total of 75% of participants resumed oral alimentation and oral medications. Swallow evaluation referral rates increased by 63% for 60-90+year-old acute care geriatric-hospitalized participants despite only a 23% increase in inpatient discharges for the years 2007 versus 2014. This corroborated previously reported increases for individual years from 2000 to 2007. For timely, safe, and successful initiation of oral alimentation, it is important to perform a reliable swallow screen for aspiration risk assessment with the Yale Swallow Protocol and, if failed, instrumental testing with FEES. More dysphagia specialists are needed through 2060 and beyond due to projections of continued population ageing resulting in ever increasing referral rates for swallow assessments.

Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing in children: Feeding outcomes related to diagnostic groups and endoscopic findings

Objective Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) is used as an adjunct to assess swallowing function in children with complex feeding disorders. We report the feeding outcomes of patients who underwent FEES to determine whether associations exist between clinical diagnoses or FEES findings and feeding outcomes. Methods Retrospective review of children who underwent FEES for dysphagia or aspiration from 2003 to 2009. The clinical diagnoses and initial FEES findings were compared to follow up feeding status for associations. Results 79 patients were included (44 males and 35 females). The change from initial to final status: total oral feeding (42–67%), NPO ± minimal tastes (39–21%) and oral feeding with tube feeding (19–12%). Of the clinical diagnoses, tonsillar hypertrophy was associated with ultimately obtaining total oral feeding status ( p = 0.046) while the inability to obtain total oral feeding status was associated with neurologic ( p < 0.001). The initial FEES findings showed no significant associations with long-term feeding status. Conclusion Many children overcome their dysphagia but those with neurologic disorders are less likely to achieve total oral feeding status. In children with dysphagia evaluated by FEES, the long-term feeding status is not significantly associated with the initial FEES findings.

Possibility of oral feeding after induction of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

Although percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has become established as a useful enteral nutrition technique, the associated risks must always be kept in mind. Recently, we experienced several patients who could orally ingest after PEG. To avoid unnecessary PEG, we investigated patients who could orally ingest after PEG, and analyzed predictive factors of postoperative oral feeding. We retrospectively analyzed data of 302 patients who underwent PEG at our hospital. After all patients were divided according to postoperative oral feeding status, we assessed factors of patients' backgrounds. In patients who could orally ingest after PEG, we investigated the course of oral feeding status. We attempted to identify predictive factors for postoperative oral feeding using logistic regression analysis. Mean age was high in both groups, and overall condition was markedly poor. Forty-four patients (15%) were able to ingest orally after PEG. Enteral nutrition could be avoided during our observation period in 15 cases, because sufficient oral intake was achieved. Conversely, oral feeding was reduced or discontinued in 14 cases. Multivariate analysis identified the following independent predictive factors for postoperative oral feeding: (i) absence of dysphagia or aphagia; (ii) younger age; (iii) favorable performance status; (iv) presence of post-traumatic encephalopathy; and (v) preoperative swallowing training. A total of 15% of PEG cases were able to ingest orally after PEG. In patients showing positive predictive factors, indications for PEG should be carefully considered.

Fluoroscopic Swallowing Study in Elderly Patients Admitted to a Geriatric Hospital and a Long-Term Care Facility

Background: No study has been done to detect the aspiration using the videofluoroscopic swallowing study in the elderly patients. Elderly patients admitted to hospitals or long-term care facilities may intake the food orally without any evaluation of swallowing function and may be exposed to aspiration risk, which can be eliminated by some diet modification based on the fluoroscopic findings. Methods: Sixty-three elderly patients who had an oral-feeding status were recruited in this study. They swallowed diverse food textures twice in the following order; liquid, Yoplait yogurt, pudding, soft-bland diet, and a regular diet. Swallowing parameters were checked as subglottic aspiration, supraglottic penetration, delayed pharyngeal reflex, and vallecular and pyriform sinus residues. Results: Only 2 patients showed both aspiration signs and the subglottic aspiration in the fluoroscopic study. Six patients showed the subglottic aspiration in the fluoroscopic study without any clinical sign. Seven patients who complained of aspiration signs did not show the subglottic aspiration, but all of them presented the supraglottic penetration. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that no covariate was correlated with the subglottic aspiration whereas delayed pharyngeal reflex during liquid (p<0.001) or Yoplait (p=0.010) swallowing were correlated with aspiration plus penetration. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that a fluoroscopic swallowing study is important for the dysphagia diagnosis in elderly patients because of no significant correlation between the aspiration signs assessed clinically and the subglottic aspiration detected by the fluoroscopic swallowing study. Diet modifications, such as, liquid thickening will be necessary when patients demonstrate the evidence of subglottic aspiration during swallowing.

Borderline cases between benignancy and malignancy of the duodenum diagnosed successfully by endoscopic submucosal dissection

Objective. Due to advances in endoscopic equipment, primary duodenal tumors are found more frequently than in the past. We performed endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) to diagnose and treat four non-ampullary duodenal tumors. Material and methods. During endoscopic treatment, marks were placed around the circumference of the tumor and sufficient amounts of physiological saline with epinephrine were injected into the submucosal layer to elevate the lesion. An incision was made around the lesion using a long-type needle knife and the isolated lesion was resected completely “en bloc”. In this procedure, a cylindrical transparent hood was attached to the endoscopy apparatus to allow for satisfactory visualization of the procedure. Results. The mean age of the patients was 69 years. The patients consisted of two males and two females. Gross examination showed three flat, elevated lesions and one polypoid lesion. Tumor size ranged from 10 to 31 mm in maximum diameter. Histological examination revealed two cases of well-differentiated adenocarcinomas and two cases of tubular adenomas with severe atypia. Procedure-related complications consisting of perforation occurred in two cases and were resolved under close postoperative observation including antibiotics, use of a nasogastric tube and nil per oral feeding status. The mean follow-up period was 18 months and none of the patients experienced tumor recurrence after the treatment. Conclusions. Since tissue obtained from endoscopic biopsies can sometimes prove difficult for definitive histological diagnosis, ESD may play an important role in the management of cases appearing to border on malignancy. In addition, ESD allows for minimally invasive treatment without sacrificing the possibility of cure for duodenal carcinoma.

An Epidemiologic Study on Aging and Dysphagia in the Acute Care Hospitalized Population: 2000–2007

Objectives: To describe total and yearly demographic trends relative to aging, dysphagia referral rates and oral feeding status in hospitalized patients from 2000 through 2007. Methods: We evaluated a prospective, consecutive, referred sample of 4,038 hospitalized patients in an urban, tertiary, acute care teaching hospital. Dysphagia referral rates are described according to year, age (decade), sex, admitting diagnostic category, results of dysphagia evaluations and oral feeding status. Diagnosis of dysphagia and feeding status were assessed objectively with fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. Results: Dysphagia referral rates doubled between 2000 and 2007, with increases of 20% per year and increases in all decades from 2002 through 2007. Over 70% of dysphagia referrals were for older patients of 60 years and above, and over 42% of these were old old patients over 80 years. Referrals for 80 to 89-year-old patients almost doubled and for patients over 90 years more than tripled between 2000 and 2007. Of older patients over 60 years, 62.3% (1,771/2,843) did not exhibit dysphagia, 18.0% (513/2,843) benefited from specific diet modifications to reduce aspiration risk and 19.7% (559/2,843) were made nil-by-mouth due to severe dysphagia and aspiration. Conclusions: From 2000 to 2007, dysphagia referrals across all ages increased by 20% each year, with more referrals for older (70.4%) than younger patients (29.6%). Referrals almost doubled for 80 to 89-year-old patients and more than tripled for patients over 90 years. This increase will necessitate additional trained dysphagia specialists at least through 2050 and probably longer.

Serial fiberoptic endoscopic swallowing evaluations in the management of patients with dysphagia

Objective: To determine whether serial fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) can be used successfully and efficiently in deciding to change a patient's feeding status from nonoral (NPO) to oral (PO) with no adverse health outcome. Design: A prospective, consecutive, cohort study. Setting: Inpatient population of a tertiary-care university teaching hospital. Subjects: Thirty-two adults were recruited from a cohort of 400 consecutive subjects who participated in a previous dysphagia study. Intervention: Serial FEES was performed 3 to 6 times in each subject to detect objectively pharyngeal phase dysphagia, aspiration, and aspiration risk and to provide information for recommendations regarding oral feeding status and therapeutic intervention. The number of FEES was based on the subject's medical status, evidence of dysphagia, and clinical judgement. Main Outcome Measures: Identification of pharyngeal phase dysphagia, aspiration, and aspiration risk, and recommendations for initial feeding status, when to resume oral feeding, and what bolus consistencies to use for optimal swallowing success. Results: In all subjects, serial FEES detected pharyngeal phase dysphagia, aspiration, and aspiration risk and enabled determination of initial feeding status (NPO or PO), when to resume successful oral feeding, and what bolus consistencies to use for optimal swallowing success. Specifically, 15 of 32 (47%) subjects received FEES 3 to 5 times within only 6 to 22 days. Timely serial FEES allowed 22 of 32 (69%) subjects to resume an oral diet as early and safely as possible. Conclusions: No subject who resumed an oral diet based on results of FEES developed an aspiration pneumonia. Serial FEES, therefore, enabled feeding status to be successful and efficiently changed from NPO to PO with no adverse health outcome. FEES was an efficient procedure with regard to appointment scheduling, transportation, patient issues, and personnel requirements.

Transition Times to Oral Feeding in Premature Infants With and Without Apnea

To determine whether a significant relationship exists between the presence of apnea and the number of days it takes a premature infant to attain full oral feeding. A two-way analysis of variance factorial design (apnea x aminophylline) was used with infants grouped according to presence or absence of apnea and whether they were receiving aminophylline. Neonatal intensive-care and step-down nurseries of a level III teaching hospital. Eligibility criteria for this study included gestational age of 28-34 weeks, less than 48 hours of mechanical ventilation, and absence of congenital anomalies. Infants were classified into one of four groups: Group 1 (NN) consisted of infants who had no recorded apnea and were not receiving aminophylline (n = 27); group 2 (AA) consisted of infants receiving aminophylline who continued to experience apnea during the transition time to oral feeding, (n = 20); group 3 (NA) consisted of infants receiving aminophylline who did not experience apnea during the transition time to oral feeding (n = 12); and group 4 (AN) were infants who experienced some apnea but never received aminophylline (n = 6). All 65 enrolled subjects completed the study. Review of medical records and daily nursing notes to record apnea instances and oral feeding status for each 24-hour period. The number of days between the first attempted oral feeding and full oral feeding was recorded, as well as number of apnea instances occurring during the transition time. An analysis of variance procedure showed that groups who did not experience apnea had a significantly (F[1, 61] = 10.19, p < .01) shorter transition time (NN = 6.6 days, NA = 5.4 days) than groups who did (AA = 11.3 days, AN = 10.3 days). Apnea was found to be correlated strongly with transition time (R = .42, p < .001). A multiple linear regression forward selection procedure showed apnea to make the greatest contribution to variance in transition time in days with a partial R2 of .18 (p < .001). Apnea appears to be a factor that influences the length of time it takes a premature infant to begin receiving full oral feedings.