The Evaluation of Facial Muscles by Surface Electromyography in Very Preterm Infants
Oskar Komisarek,
Roksana Malak,
Jacek Kwiatkowski,
Katarzyna Wiecheć,
Tomasz Szczapa,
Joanna Kasperkowicz,
Maja Matthews-Kozanecka,
Teresa Matthews-Brzozowska,
Małgorzata Wójcik,
Włodzimierz Samborski,
Ewa Mojs
Affiliations
Oskar Komisarek
Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 85-821 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Roksana Malak
Department and Clinic of Rheumatology, Rehabilitation and Internal Medicine, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 61-545 Poznań, Poland
Jacek Kwiatkowski
Students Scientific Society of Maxillofacial Orthopaedics and Orthodontics, University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznań, Poland
Katarzyna Wiecheć
Department of Clinical Psychology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznań, Poland
Tomasz Szczapa
Neonatal Biophysical Monitoring and Cardiopulmonary Therapies Research Unit, II Department of Neonatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland
Joanna Kasperkowicz
Department and Clinic of Rheumatology, Rehabilitation and Internal Medicine, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 61-545 Poznań, Poland
Maja Matthews-Kozanecka
Department of Social Sciences and the Humanities, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
Teresa Matthews-Brzozowska
Department of Orthodontics and Masticatory System Dysfunction, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznań, Poland
Małgorzata Wójcik
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physical Culture in Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poznan University of Physical Education, Estkowskiego 13, 66-400 Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland
Włodzimierz Samborski
Department and Clinic of Rheumatology, Rehabilitation and Internal Medicine, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 61-545 Poznań, Poland
Ewa Mojs
Department of Clinical Psychology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznań, Poland
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.
