The performance of very low birth weight preterm infants, in terms of cognition and expressive language, was analyzed and compared with that of term infants with the Protocol for Expressive Language and Cognition Development Observation (PELCDO). The study involved 12 very low birth weight preterm infants and 20 term infants, all of whom were evaluated monthly. Sessions were videotaped, and data were analyzed according to this specific protocol. Our results suggest that cognition and expressive language develop significantly later in very low birth weight preterm infants than in the term. We found positive correlations for cognitive and expressive language development, the delay becoming more evident after 6 months of age, persisting through the sensorimotor period, and continuing into the beginning of preoperational period, indicating the importance of follow-up evaluation, defining the true needs of such infants and identifying the ideal moment for speech-language intervention.

it was possible to confirm the effectiveness of the dialectic-didactic method as a therapy method, shown through the language development of the RG when compared to GC1.

MLU-w can be used as an identification measure of general linguistic development. However, it is emphasized that the use of all MLU variables provides more efficacy in the characterization of linguistic development and the analysis of language impairments.

Purpose: To verify the accuracy of clinical evaluation compared with videofluoroscopic swallowing studies in the detection of isolated laryngeal penetration and laryngeal aspiration in children with suspected dysphagia; to identify clinical signs and symptoms associated with isolated laryngeal penetration and laryngeal aspiration; and to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the clinical signs and symptoms identified. Methods: Retrospective analysis of data from clinical and videofluoroscopic evaluations carried out in 55 children from 1 month to 7 years and 11 months old. For clinical assessment, the Protocol for Clinical Assessment of Pediatric Dysphagia was used. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of clinical evaluation were analyzed. For statistical analysis, the Fisher's exact and χ2 tests were used. Results: Clinical evaluation showed, in general, a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 32%. For isolated laryngeal penetration, clinical evaluation showed a sensitivity of 88%. For laryngeal aspiration, clinical evaluation showed a sensitivity of 86%. However, the specificity values were low for both alterations. There was no association between clinical evaluation and videofluoroscopic findings. Choking was the only clinical sign associated with isolated laryngeal penetration thin fluid and showed a sensitivity of 53% and a specificity of 77%. Conclusions: Clinical evaluation was sensible to detect isolated laryngeal penetration and laryngeal aspiration in children with suspected dysphagia. However, it showed a low specificity. Choking was the only clinical sign associated with isolated laryngeal penetration of thin fluid. More prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings in this population.

Very low birth weight preterm newborns are more likely to have feeding problems in early postnatal stages and during childhood when compared with full-term infants. Monitoring the feeding of these infants after hospital discharge is strictly recommended in an early intervention program aiming at better development of feeding skills.

The results suggest that the studied population consider their QL as "good", and is "satisfied" with their health. The Environment domain and the socio-demographic variables "education degree" and "socio-economic level" are the aspects that influence their quality of life.

Background: literature points that body posture is an important aspect in the treatment of children with sensorimotor deficits. Considering individuals with cerebral palsy, reflexes are often more intense than reactions of rectification and equilibrium, causing, therefore, a delay or obstacle in cervical, torso and hip control. This delay has as a consequence an impact on the Stomatognathic System. Aim: to verify the relation between body posture and the Stomatognathic System in this population, regarding posture and function, and its effectiveness in the process of speech-language intervention. Method: 17 children with sensorimotor deficits, aged between 1 and 6:3 years, were submitted to an initial assessment, followed by speech-language intervention and re-assessment. Speech-language intervention occurred for a period of 10 months, with weekly individual sessions, always in the presence of the caretaker. All sessions were transcribed in a specific protocol and the assessment and re-assessment sessions were videotaped. Results: a statistically significant improvement of stomatognathic system in 100% of the children was observed, not only of the isolated structures, but also of the whole system. The same was observed for the assessed functions. Conclusion: the improvement of body posture of the studied children favored significantly the development and improvement of the stomatognathic system regarding the aspects of posture and function. Key Words: Stomatognathic System; Body Posture; Children; Sensorimotor Disorder. ResumoTema: a literatura aponta a postura corporal como um aspecto importante no tratamento de crianças com alterações sensório-motoras. No caso do paralítico cerebral, os reflexos apresentam-se mais intensos do que as reações de retificação e de equilíbrio, inibindo-as, provocando assim um atraso ou impedimento do controle cervical, de tronco e de quadril, que se reflete no Sistema Estomatognático; Objetivo: verificar a relação entre a postura corporal e a adequação do Sistema Estomatognático nessa população, quanto à postura e funcionalidade e sua efetividade no processo terapêutico fonoaudiológico; Método: foram realizadas avaliação inicial, intervenção fonoaudiológica e reavaliação em dezessete crianças com alterações sensório-motoras, com idades entre um ano e seis anos e três meses. A intervenção terapêutica foi realizada durante dez meses, com sessões semanais individuais, sempre com a presença do cuidador. Todas as sessões foram transcritas em protocolo específico e a avaliação e a reavaliação foram gravadas em videoteipe; Resultados: observamos melhora estatisticamente significante dos aspectos do sistema estomatognático em 100% das crianças, tanto nas estruturas isoladamente, quanto em conjunto. O mesmo foi observado com relação às funções; Conclusão: a adequação da postura corporal das crianças estudadas favoreceu de forma significativa o desenvolvimento e adequação do sistema estomatognático quanto à postura e a funcionalidade. Palavras-Chave: Sistema Estomatognático; Postura C...

Oropharyngeal dysphagia and esophageal motility disorders were found to be the most important causes of aspiration pneumonia in patients with myotonic dystrophy. The purpose of this report was to evaluate clinical characteristics of the oral motor movements and swallowing of individuals with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) using a standardized clinical protocol and surface electromyography (sEMG). Participants were 40 individuals divided in two groups: G1 composed of 20 adults with DM1 and G2 composed of 20 healthy volunteers paired by age and gender to the individuals in G1. Statistical analysis included one-way ANOVA with two factors for within- and between-group comparisons and Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Patients with DM1 presented deficits in posture, position, and mobility of the oral motor structures, as well as compromised mastication and deglutition. The sEMG data indicated that these patients had longer muscle activations during swallowing events. The longer duration of sEMG in the group of patients with DM1 is possibly related to myotonia and/or incoordination of the muscles involved in the swallowing process or could reflect a physiological adaptation for safe swallowing.