Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Speech-Language Pathologists’ Perceptions of Infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Authors' Affiliations

Lauren Fabrize, Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. Under the mentorship of Drs. Proctor-Williams & Louw, Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN.

Location

AUDITORIUM ROOM 137A

Start Date

4-12-2019 10:40 AM

End Date

4-12-2019 10:55 AM

Faculty Sponsor’s Department

Audiology & Speech Pathology

Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Kerry Proctor-Williams

Classification of First Author

Graduate Student-Master’s

Type

Oral Presentation

Project's Category

Rehabilitation or Therapy, Other Healthcare

Abstract or Artist's Statement

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) refers to the withdrawal infants exposed to opioids in utero may experience following birth. In recent years, the number of infants born who present with NAS has grown exponentially. This increase in the number of infants with NAS has led to a new population within the caseloads of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). SLPs’ knowledge base and skill set of assessment and treatment of swallowing and feeding disorders in infancy play a vital role in the treatment of infants with NAS in the NICU. A dearth of research exists regarding the specific nature of the feeding problems and skills of infants with NAS and whether SLP intervention for infants with NAS needs to differ from that of other infant NICU populations. Identifying how SLPs can best serve infants with NAS in the NICU is essential to their immediate well-being as well as the development of these infants. The purpose of this survey-based research study was to examine NICU SLPs’ perceptions of infants with NAS, and more specifically, how NAS affects the infants’ feeding skills, structural, and oral-motor characteristics. A questionnaire was developed based on an in-depth literature review to collect information on NAS, caseloads, treatment environment, and respondent demographics. The survey consisted of three sections: NAS (further divided into Assessment, Treatment, and Education), Environmental Description, and Respondent Demographics. The secure web-based questionnaire was distributed through SurveyMonkey™, an online survey platform. Survey research was conducted, and hospital-based speech-language pathologists within the USA acted as respondents. The findings will contribute to establishing a preliminary base of information on this topic. The results are expected to further inform the field as well as current practices in evidenced-based practice care for infants with NAS.

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Apr 12th, 10:40 AM Apr 12th, 10:55 AM

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Speech-Language Pathologists’ Perceptions of Infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

AUDITORIUM ROOM 137A

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) refers to the withdrawal infants exposed to opioids in utero may experience following birth. In recent years, the number of infants born who present with NAS has grown exponentially. This increase in the number of infants with NAS has led to a new population within the caseloads of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). SLPs’ knowledge base and skill set of assessment and treatment of swallowing and feeding disorders in infancy play a vital role in the treatment of infants with NAS in the NICU. A dearth of research exists regarding the specific nature of the feeding problems and skills of infants with NAS and whether SLP intervention for infants with NAS needs to differ from that of other infant NICU populations. Identifying how SLPs can best serve infants with NAS in the NICU is essential to their immediate well-being as well as the development of these infants. The purpose of this survey-based research study was to examine NICU SLPs’ perceptions of infants with NAS, and more specifically, how NAS affects the infants’ feeding skills, structural, and oral-motor characteristics. A questionnaire was developed based on an in-depth literature review to collect information on NAS, caseloads, treatment environment, and respondent demographics. The survey consisted of three sections: NAS (further divided into Assessment, Treatment, and Education), Environmental Description, and Respondent Demographics. The secure web-based questionnaire was distributed through SurveyMonkey™, an online survey platform. Survey research was conducted, and hospital-based speech-language pathologists within the USA acted as respondents. The findings will contribute to establishing a preliminary base of information on this topic. The results are expected to further inform the field as well as current practices in evidenced-based practice care for infants with NAS.