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Prosthetic Management of Congenital Palatal Defect in a Neonate: A Case Report on Obturator Efficacy
Swamini S Gabhane1, Meenal S Pande1, Nilima R Thosar1
1Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND.
Insights
A custom feeding appliance can significantly improve feeding for neonates with cleft palate. This oral device aids in milk expression and reduces feeding time and nasal regurgitation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Craniofacial Anomalies
Background:
- Neonates with cleft palate present with maxillary arch malformations affecting feeding and growth.
- Congenital clefts pose significant feeding challenges, leading to slower growth rates in affected newborns.
Observation:
- A case report details a 2-day-old infant with a congenital cleft palate interfering with feeding.
- Conventional treatment involves obturator therapy and surgical interventions.
Findings:
- A direct technique was used to fabricate a custom feeding appliance for the neonate.
- The appliance seals the oral and nasal cavities, regulating milk flow and facilitating nipple compression.
- This intervention improved feeding efficiency, reduced feeding duration, and minimized nasal regurgitation.
Implications:
- Custom feeding appliances offer a viable solution for managing feeding difficulties in neonates with cleft palate.
- Early intervention with such devices can support improved nutrition and growth in infants with clefts.
- This approach complements existing treatment protocols, potentially reducing the need for early surgical interventions.
Abstract:
Neonates with cleft palate exhibit a malformed maxillary arch since birth. Newborns with various types of clefts exhibit multiple issues, primarily associated with their feeding habits. Feeding these children is crucial, as evidence indicates that newborns with this congenital deformity exhibit a slower growth rate compared to those without this condition. To mitigate these challenges, the conventional line of treatment for these children is obturator therapy to facilitate sucking or feeding followed by various surgical procedures. The following case report describes a 2-day-old girl, who reported with her parents to the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, to seek treatment for congenital cleft present in her palate as it was interfering with her feeding habits. A feeding appliance was made with a direct technique to help the parents improve feeding habits. It also regulates milk flow by sealing the area separating the oral and nasal cavities. This feeding appliance is placed over the child's hard palate, creating a contact point that facilitates milk expression from the mother's mammary gland and making it easier for the neonate to compress the nipple. It shortens the time needed for feeding, eases feeding, and lessens nasal regurgitation.
