[Congenital deglutition disorder revealing cerebral stem disorders. 12 cases with neurophysiological study]

Respiratory problems in neonates and infants may be the result of a variety of neuromuscular dysfunctions. Neurologic evaluation of functions, such as sucking and swallowing, may be difficult in these very young infants and can be helped by neurophysiological studies.

12 infants admitted because of repeated episodes of respiratory obstruction due to difficulties of sucking and/or swallowing took part in the study. The neurophysiological studies included electromyography of the facial, lingual and pharyngeal muscles, brain stem auditory evoked potentials and measurement of the blink reflexes. The results were correlated with events during the perinatal period and those that occurred during the follow-up.

Dysphagia was evident from the neonatal period; it was complicated by nasal reflux and aspiration bronchopneumopathy. Facial diplegia was observed in 8 patients. 9 patients failed to thrive. The electromyographic patterns showed partial denervation of the facial, lingual and pharyngeal muscles in all cases; the blink reflex was altered in 11 cases, and the brain stem evoked potentials were abnormal in 3 of the 8 cases tested. 7 of the infants had histories of pregnancy and obstetrical abnormalities, and/or fetal distress. The swallowing function partially improved within several months.

Neurophysiological studies indicate neurofunctional alterations in the VII, IX, X and XII cranial nerve nuclei, V and VII pathways and the auditory tract. These lesions and the time course of improvement suggest that they are due to pre- or perinatal anoxo-ischemic brain stem injury.