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[Application of palatal RB obturator in babies with isolated palatal cleft]
Julija Radojicić1, Tatjana Tanić, Zorica Blazej
1Medicinski fakultet Univerziteta u Nisu Nis, Srbija. ortodent@ptt.rs
Insights
An obturator (artificial palate) helps newborns with isolated palatal clefts feed better. This device aids in increasing food intake, supporting normal growth and development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Craniofacial Anomalies
- Neonatal Care
Background:
- Isolated cleft palate presents significant feeding challenges for newborns.
- Impaired suckling leads to nutritional deficits and potential health complications.
- Current feeding strategies for these infants lack a standardized early orthodontic approach.
Observation:
- A female neonate with a U-shaped, isolated cleft of the secondary palate was unable to feed orally.
- A custom-made obturator (artificial palate) was designed and fitted immediately after birth.
- The obturator aimed to facilitate oral feeding and prevent the need for gastric tube feeding.
Findings:
- The application of the RB obturator significantly improved the infant's ability to feed.
- Parental education regarding obturator use was crucial for successful feeding.
- The obturator contributed to increased food intake and shortened the duration of breastfeeding difficulties.
Implications:
- Early orthodontic intervention with obturators can optimize nutrition in infants with isolated cleft palate.
- This approach supports normal growth and development, mitigating common complications.
- Standardized protocols for obturator use could enhance care for affected newborns.
Background:
Isolated cleft of secondary palate has a specific clinical picture due to a wide communication between the mouth and nose cavity. As a consequence of that, babies born with this malformation are often subject to infections of the upper bronchial tubes, middle ear, speech disorders, and certainly the most difficult existential problem they face at the very beginning of their lives, the impossibility of suckling (breast feeding). Such babies have to be fed with gastric probe. The difficulties in their nutrition have often been described in literature, yet a singular attitude toward early orthodontic therapy has not been adopted still. The aim of the paper was to describe a design and application of obturator immediately after the birth of a baby with isolated palatal cleft, and the role in feeding.
Case Report:
We presented a female neonate, born on 27th December 2007, with a wide fissure in the shape of the letter U over the entire secondary palate. The baby was referred to the Stomatology Clinic due to nutrition impossibility. To avoid feeding with gastric probe, the formation of RB obturator was performed (artificial palate). Hereby, the procedure of obturator making with an explanation of its function is presented.
Conclusion:
The application of RB obturator and the necessary education of parents have a major role in shortening the time of breast feeding and increasing the amount of food intake and, thus, for the normal growth and development of newborn infants with isolated palate cleft.
