Disorders in the temporomandibular joints in pediatric patients - frequency of physiotherapy visits

Introduction: Temporomandibular disorders can be a challenge for both clinicians and patients. It is unclear what factors are associated with prolonged conservative care and patient dissatisfaction with treatment outcomes.Material and research method: A literature review was carried out in terms of methods of physiotherapeutic treatment following disorders of temporomandibular joints in pediatric patients. This work is for reference only. The PubMed and Google Schoolar databases were analyzed. The keywords used in the search were: "physiotherapy, temporomandibular joints and children", "manual therapy, temporomandibular joints and children". The authors focused on reports published in Polish and English from the last 10 years.Results: There is a need to combine standard therapy with physiotherapy in order to accelerate the treatment process.Conclusions: Physiotherapy is highly effective and non-invasive in the treatment of stomatognathic system disorders. A physiotherapist provides a number of therapeutic treatments that improve disorders in the temporomandibular joints

The Influence of Parent Education on the Neurobehavior and Sucking Reflexes of Very Preterm Infants

The diagnosis of neurobehavioral problems in very preterm neonates helps with planning and applying proper and direct therapeutic interventions. (1) Background: The aim of this study was to determine the direct impact of neurobehavior on the sucking reflex and eating abilities of neonates. (2) Methods: We assessed 18 preterm neonates twice hospitalized at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinical Hospital through the use of the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS). (3) Results: We found that that a neonate’s sucking ability positively correlated with the activity level item from the motor system cluster of the NBAS. (4) Conclusions: Neurobehavior should be closely assessed in very preterm neonates. Firstly, because assessments can detect fundamental problems and help a practitioner plan for early intervention. Secondly, the education of parents regarding the neurobehavior of their child can help in the facilitation of feeding skills and the planning of early rehabilitation

The Evaluation of Facial Muscles by Surface Electromyography in Very Preterm Infants

Background: It is reported that 40% of preterm infants have problems with eating. Neonatal feeding disorders may be one of the factors increasing neonatal mortality. The aim of our study was to evaluate the muscles involved in suckling and swallowing in premature newborns using surface electromyography (sEMG). We would like to objectively describe the tension of muscles engaged in feeding in order to properly plan the therapy. Another aim was to compare sEMG measurements to gestational age, birth weight, and umbilical blood pH to show which parameters put children at risk of feeding problems. Methods: Sixteen preterm neonates with gestational age less than 32 weeks, birth weight less than 1500 g, and oral feeding difficulties were analyzed for muscle response and electrical activity of nerves using sEMG (surface electromyography). Results: We found a negative correlation indicating that preterm infants with a younger gestational age had higher suprahyoid muscle tension, and a positive correlation was found between pH value and suprahyoid muscles. The lower the pH value, the lower the tension in the suprahyoid muscles. Conclusions: sEMG may be a helpful diagnostic tool in the evaluation of the masticatory system of premature infants. Due to the abnormal tone of the muscles responsible for swallowing, it is advisable to rehabilitate as early as possible

The Importance of Monitoring Neurodevelopmental Outcomes for Preterm Infants: A Comparison of the AIMS, GMA, Pull to Sit Maneuver and ASQ-3

Background: Clinicians and parents should closely monitor the neurodevelopment of very preterm infants. The aim of our study was to compare whether neurodevelopmental assessments completed by parents and those done by specialists yielded similar outcomes. We wanted to check whether the assessments completed by specialists and parents were comparable in outcomes to emphasize the important roles of early assessment of a child and of the parents in their child’s treatment and medical care. Another aim was to check whether or not the pull to sit maneuver from the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) is still a parable item in well-known scales of neurodevelopment. Methods: We assessed 18 preterm neonates in the fourth month of corrected age with scales such as the General Movement Assessment (GMA), the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), and the pull to sit maneuver from the NBAS. Finally, we asked parents to complete the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition (ASQ-3). Results: We found that the respective assessments completed by specialists and parents are comparable in outcomes. We also found that the pull to sit item from the NBAS was still a valid test since it showed similar findings to those from the AIMS, the GMA, and the ASQ-3. Conclusions: The pull to sit item from the NBAS is an important item for assessment of very preterm infants. Specialists should also take into consideration the input and concerns of parents when planning for treatment and intervention