A/Prof. Kelly Weir1,2, Mrs Lisa Moshovis3, Dr Marie Blackmore4, Mrs Renae Telo3, Dr Monica Cooper1,2, Dr Katherine Langdon7, Dr Andrew Wilson7, Dr Noula Gilbson7, A/Prof Thuy Frakking5, Prof Rob Ware6
1The University of Melbourne, CARLTON, Australia, 2Royal Children' Hospital, Parkville, Australia, 3Ability WA, Perth, Australia, 4The Kids Research Institute Australia, Perth, Australia, 5Gold Coast Health, Southport, Australia, 6Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia, 7Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, Australia
Biography:
Associate Professor Kelly Weir is a Joint Director of Allied Health Research at The Royal Children’s Hospital and The University of Melbourne. She is a certified practicing speech pathologist with over 35 years clinical and research experience, predominantly in tertiary state-wide paediatric hospitals in Australia. Kelly researches and teaches in the assessment and management of infants and children with paediatric dysphagia and feeding disorders in neonatal intensive care, tertiary paediatric acute/critical care, children with disability and paediatric palliative care. She currently leads the Allied Health Research Capacity and Development Program at The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne.
Abstract:
Introduction:
Two thirds of children with cerebral palsy (CP) have oropharyngeal dysphagia (eating/drinking/swallowing difficulties) and 1/3 will require modified texture diets/fluids, and/or tube feeding for adequate and safe nutrition. Swallow dysfunction for some individuals with CP persists and/or function deteriorates over the lifespan, however, little is known about this phenomenon to guide surveillance, timing of swallow reviews and planning of mealtime services. This project aimed to identify the clinical presentation of swallowing skills across time, and whether age or key transition periods are associated with a change in swallow function.
Methods:
Our research includes retrospective, cross-sectional and longitudinal data from approximately 114 customers with 538 mealtime evaluations who have attended a large, community-based, disability service provider in WA. Inclusion criteria: participants with CP with mealtime plans at infancy (0-12 months), toddler (1-3 years), school aged (4-8 years), pre-teens (9-12 years), adolescents (13-17 years) or adults (18 years+). Data extracted from client records included age, sex, body weight and height, motor impairments, communication ability, comorbidities, swallowing assessment results and classification, and recommendations about mealtime textures and/or enteral feeding. Data will be present including descriptive analysis, and the relationship between risk factors and dysphagia will be analysed using regression analysis.
Results:
Data analysis is currently underway, final results will be available by the time of the conference. Conclusion: This unique data set will be used to plan and advocate for a proactive approach to surveillance of swallowing function and provision of timely mealtime services for individuals with CP across the lifespan