The work of the professional in speech therapy in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is essential to guarantee the correct care and development of premature newborns. Due to their particular birth conditions, these patients are more likely to present alterations in the development of the stomatognathic system (SE). In a full-term newborn, SE maturation is achieved only towards the end of the gestation process, at week 36, and it plays an important role in the function of the sucking-swallowing-respiration triad (SDR), and when seen altered triggers different risk factors in the health of the newborn. It should be noted that preterm newborns (RNP) have an inefficient sucking-swallowing-breathing (S-D-R) pattern; Riadi F.P, (2019) defines this pattern as a reflex that occurs in newborns, being a fundamental function for feeding to be safe and efficient, in addition, he describes that suction is necessary for the extraction of milk from the maternal nipple, having the ability to swallow it, while maintaining adequate breathing (Riadi F.P, 2019).

In order to present an effective diet for the RNP, Aguilar et. al (2018) tells us that this not only depends on the gestational age it has, but also on various factors involved in this process, such as muscle tone, development of physiological stability, alertness, behavior, energy reserves. , level of maturity of the nervous system, of the gastrointestinal system and the state of health of the NB (Aguilar et. Al, 2018). It is, right there, where the role of speech pathologists is fundamental, since they are in charge of maintaining the life of the newborn by evaluating and consolidating safe and effective feeding methods that respond to the specific needs of these patients. Regarding this, the Colombian Association of Phonoaudiology, according to the Speech-Language Practices Manual, established that the professional in speech-language pathology, from their training, develops competencies and procedural skills for the management of stomatognathic or orofacial functions that, in the course of life, keep a close relationship with human survival (Ángel, L. F., 2003).

In this sense, and with a view to strengthening multidisciplinary work in the care of disorders in the SDR triad in premature patients, the project “Knowledge and perception of the role of the speech therapist in the care of premature neonates with alteration in the sucking triad” arose. -swallowing-breathing at the Bolivarian University Clinic in 2021-2022”, in which María Isabel Mazo Velasco and Miguel Antonio Vargas García, professors of the Speech Pathology program of the María Cano University Foundation, participated.

This investigation centered its execution in four phases through the application of three inquiry instruments: 1) Surveys, to make a first characterization and diagnosis of the knowledge and procedures carried out by speech pathologists in the NICU 2) Focus groups, to explore the relationship identified by various health professionals regarding the participation of speech pathologists in the NICU and 3) semi-structured interviews, as a strategy for deepening and triangulating previously obtained information. The final phase involved the treatment of the data collected at a quantitative and qualitative level through statistical analysis of non-parametric tests under the use of Statgraphic Centurion and a thematic and content analysis to identify patterns framed in the study theme.

A total of 33 collaborators of the Bolivarian University Clinic participated in the research. Of these, for phase 1, 42.4% were nurse managers, 33.3% nursing assistants, 9.1% pediatricians, 6.1% neonatologists, and 6.1% respiratory therapists.

From the investigation it was identified that, although the participation of speech therapists within the NICU teams is increasingly active, the role of speech therapists in the swallowing rehabilitation of premature neonates still needs to be made more visible and positioned. Specifically, it is necessary for the speech-language pathologist to provide primary care for premature newborns, and not only through specialized interconsultation, as is often the case, being part of the treating team as mentioned by Kaneshiro & Zieve (2020) who refer specialists and staff support staff involved in the care of preterm infants in neonatal care units, audiologist, cardiologist, cardiovascular surgeon, dermatologist, developmental pediatrician, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, geneticist, hemato-oncologist, infectious disease specialist, maternal medicine specialist -fetal, nephrologist, neurologist, neurosurgeon, obstetrician, ophthalmologist, orthopedic surgeon, otolaryngologist, pathologist, pediatrician, phlebotomist, pulmonologist, radiologist, urologist, and x-ray technician (Kaneshiro & Zieve, 2020).

It is necessary, then, to ensure the employability of professionals in speech therapy in clinical settings and disseminate the work of the speech therapist in interdisciplinary support, diagnosis and treatment of coordination sucking, swallowing, breathing related to the development of functions stomatognathics of preterm newborns and their ability to survive.

For more information about this project, contact María Isabel Mazo Velasco (mariaisabelmazovelasco@fumc.edu.co), principal investigator of the project.

Bibliographic references:

Aguilar-Vázquez, E., Pérez-Padilla, M., Martín-López, M., & Romero-Hernández, A. (2018, 2 marzo). Rehabilitación de las alteraciones en la succión y deglución en recién nacidos prematuros de la unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales. Scielo. http://www.scielo.org.mx/pdf/bmim/v75n1/1665-1146-bmim-75-01-15.pdf

Ángel, L. F. (2003). Manual de procedimientos para la práctica de fonoaudiología MPPF-II

Kaneshiro, N. K., & Zieve, D. (2020). Especialistas y personal de apoyo de la UCIN. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/007249.htm

Riadi, F. P. (2020, 5 abril). Niños Prematuros y Dificultades en la Deglución. crecerdecolores. https://www.crecerdecolores.com/post/2019/08/12/ni%C3%B1os-prematuros-y-dificultades-en-la-degluci%C3%B3n