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Published on: March 1, 2015
Oral-motor dysfunction and feeding disorders of infants with Turner syndrome
B Mathisen1, S Reilly, D Skuse
1University of Queensland, Australia.
Insights
Infants with Turner syndrome exhibit significant oral-motor deficits, including poor cheek and lip tone and chewing skills. These challenges lead to shorter mealtimes and lower weight gain compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Turner syndrome is a genetic condition affecting females.
- Oral-motor function is crucial for infant development and nutrition.
Observation:
- Infants with Turner syndrome presented with oral anomalies and high-arched palates.
- Marked hypotonia of cheeks and lips, dysfunctional tongue movements, and poor chewing skills were observed.
Findings:
- Infants with Turner syndrome had significantly shorter mealtimes.
- These infants weighed significantly less at 6, 12, and 15 months compared to controls.
- Mothers reported persistent feeding difficulties since birth.
Implications:
- Early identification of oral-motor dysfunction in Turner syndrome is critical.
- Interventions targeting feeding difficulties may improve growth and development.
- Further research into the neurodevelopmental aspects of Turner syndrome is warranted.
Abstract:
The oral-motor function of 10 infants with Turner syndrome and their age- and sex-matched controls were assessed during feeding. In addition to well-recognised dysmorphic features, including oral anomalies and high-arched palates, index infants had marked hypotonia of the cheeks and lips, dysfunctional tongue movements and poorly developed chewing skills. Their meal-times were significantly shorter than those of the controls and they weighed significantly less at six, 12 and 15 months. All mothers of infants with Turner syndrome complained of difficulties feeding their children and these problems often had been present since birth.
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