Evaluation of sucking using ultrasonography in infants: a scoping review protocol

Abstract

Purpose: to identify studies related to ultrasound assessment of suction in infants. Methods: this research aims to investigate how the literature describes the use of ultrasound to assess suction in infants. It used the “Participants, Concept, and Context” strategy to define inclusion criteria, as follows: population, infants 1 to 180 days old; concept, assessment of suction; and context, ultrasound assessment. The search strategy will be used in the databases of MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus, and studies will be selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria established, independently, by two trained professionals. The article analysis protocol will consider the study year and design, the number of infants assessed, their ages, the suction assessment method, the ultrasound suction image acquisition method, and the ultrasound suction analysis method. Data will be presented in charts, narratives, and tables. Final Considerations: ultrasound has been described in the literature as an assessment instrument that enables the analysis of tongue movements during suction. This scoping review will describe ultrasound acquisition methods to assess suction.