Feeding, Swallowing and Speech in Congenital or Early Developing Neuromuscular Diseases
What is it about?
The aim of this review was to collect and compile knowledge on how muscle weakness in congenital or early developing NMDs directly or indirectly affects feeding, swallowing, speech and saliva control
Why is it important?
Feeding impairment, dysphagia and dysarthria are common in congenital NMDs or NMDs with early age of onset. Feeding impairment and dysphagia can lead to life-threatening symptoms such as malnutrition, dehydration, repeated chest infections or choking. As many patients with NMDs now receive extensive medical interventions to prolong survival, it is essential that these patients are given the best possible opportunity to maintain functions such as feeding, swallowing, saliva control and speech to survive and to preserve their quality of life. To ensure this, speech language pathologists should be included in neuromuscular teams