USE OF THE OBTURATOR PLATE AS A SUPPORT IN THE FEEDING OF A NEWBORN WITH CLEFT LIP AND PALATE

Case report

Abstract

USE OF THE OBTURATOR PLATE AS A SUPPORT IN THE FEEDING OF A NEWBORN WITH CLEFT LIP AND PALATE: CASE REPORT

Deborah Tatiane Pinheiro dos Santos Costa, FSCMPA
Valéria Regina Cavalcante dos Santos, FSCMPA
Ana Paula Figueirêdo de Montalvão França, FSCMPA

Introduction: Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is an inadequate formation in the orofacial region that compromises basic physiological functions of the newborn (NB), including nutrition. Objective: To describe a case report on the use of the obturator plate in the feeding of a newborn with CLP. Material and Method: Descriptive, qualitative, case-report study, carried out between November 2024 and February 2025, with a newborn followed in an Intermediate Care Unit (ICU) of a Maternal and Child Reference Hospital. Data were collected from the records of the multidisciplinary team in the electronic patient record (EHR) and the analysis was performed with the selection of the collected material and a detailed description of the case: Full-term NB with bilateral CLP, initially tolerating SOG diet, due to unsuccessful attempts to transition orally by bottle, presenting reduced intraoral pressure, short to moderate sucking groups, tongue canoling, inspiratory stridor, dyspnea and perioral cyanosis, and the possibility of indicating a gastrostomy to ensure safe and effective feeding was considered. After discussing the case with the team of the Cleft Patient Service of Santa Casa/PA, it was decided to use a flexible filling plate, made from a mold and used until corrective surgery was performed. After the placement of the plate, there was an immediate improvement in the sucking pattern, observed by an increase in intraoral pressure, better performance during the administration of the bottle diet, a decrease in the time of milk delivery, reduction of inspiratory stridors and regulation of dyspnea. After 36 days of hospitalization, the infant was discharged from the hospital with effective suction, good tolerance, adequate weight gain and with the mother oriented about home management and outpatient return. Conclusion: The filling plate is an effective and safe tool for managing feeding difficulties in newborns with CLP.

Keywords: Cleft palate. Palatal Shutters. Newborn.

Thematic axis: Child Health