NMES in Dysphagia Therapy in the NICU

Course overview

Feeding problems complicate the care of preterm and term infants in the NICU. Delayed oral feedings can lead to prolonged length of stay, need for G-tube, family stress and separation. These infants, typically demonstrate discoordinated suck-swallow-breath patterns, delayed oral motor skills and weak pharyngeal muscle movements - thus leading to penetration and aspiration, putting the infant at increased risk of pneumonia and future oral aversion. Traditional therapies have shown limited and slow progress in this fragile population. Infants unable to demonstrate adequate feeding abilities are often discharged with G-Tube and PEG placements. The use of NMES as part of feeding and swallowing therapy has grown exponentially over the last 20 years across all ages. Use of this modality in the NICU is also becoming more frequent. This short course will focus on the objectives of this therapy and how it can complement traditional therapies in the NICU when these neonates/infants struggle with dysphagia and discuss opportunities to help this fragile population perform their best.