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Author Spotlight: Implications of Non-Nutritive Sucking on Speech Emergence and Infant Development
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Author Spotlight: Implications of Non-Nutritive Sucking on Speech Emergence and Infant Development

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Sucking-pads and primitive sucking reflex

H D Hendrik1

  • 1School of Oral Health Sciences, Medunsa Campus, University of Limpopo, Mankweng-E, South Africa.

Journal of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
|January 21, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Sucking pads, which are lip thickenings in newborns, indicate an effective sucking reflex. Their presence at birth can screen for intact motor neuron function in neonates.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal physiology
  • Developmental biology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Sucking pads are specialized hyperkeratotic thickenings on the inner lips of neonates.
  • These structures develop in utero around the 25th week of gestation.
  • They are a manifestation of the primitive, brain-stem mediated sucking reflex.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the developmental origin of neonatal sucking pads.
  • To establish the link between sucking pads and the primitive sucking reflex.
  • To propose sucking pads as a clinical screening tool for neonatal neurological function.

Main Methods:

  • Observational assessment of neonatal lip structures.
  • Correlation of physical findings with neurological reflexes.
  • Review of developmental milestones and gestational age.

Main Results:

  • Sucking pads are present in neonates due to the primitive sucking reflex.
  • The presence of sucking pads at birth signifies an effective sucking reflex.
  • This reflex is mediated by the brain-stem, indicating intact neural pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Neonatal sucking pads are a reliable indicator of a functional sucking reflex.
  • Their presence at birth serves as a valuable, non-invasive screening tool.
  • This screening can help identify neonates with intact motor neuron function.

Keywords:
Sucking padsleukoedemaneonatessucking callusessucking reflex

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