Feeding Methods for Children With Cleft Lip and/or Palate: A Systematic Review
Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
Duarte, G. A., Ramos, R. B., et al. (2016).
Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology, 82(5), 602-609.
This systematic review investigates the effects of various feeding methods for children aged 18 months and younger with cleft lip and/or palate (before and after surgical repair).
For children aged 18 months and younger with cleft lip and/or palate <em>prior</em> to surgical repair, results indicated feeding methods (e.g., bottle) with suction to be appropriate, and alternative methods (i.e., squeezable bottle, syringe, paladai) may be appropriate in certain cases. <br /><br />For children aged 18 months and younger with cleft lip and/or palate <em>after</em> surgical repair, results indicated feeding methods with suction to be more beneficial with no major postoperative complications. "However, regarding the postoperative period of palate repair surgery, there are divergences on the most suitable feeding method, ranging from total interruption of oral feeding for at least 24 hours, suction method deprivation, and feeding method with unrestricted suction" (p. 608).
