Table of Contents
ABSTRACT
Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is a condition that disrupts the neurological function in full-term newborns during their first few days of life, resulting in difficulties with breathing, decreased muscle tone and reflexes, reduced consciousness levels, and often seizures. Infants with cerebral palsy, particularly those showing signs of oxygen deprivation during birth, are at a higher risk of severe complications. In addition to feeding and swallowing difficulties, children with NE may experience a range of other symptoms, including cognitive, motor, sensory, language, and speech impairments. A 2.6-year-old boy was referred for delayed speech, language, and feeding difficulties. The child, who had undergone atrioventricular septal defect repair at five months, experienced choking episodes and was later diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia, leading to moderate encephalopathy. The child had normal hearing and bilateral visual deficits, language assessments revealed significant delays in receptive and expressive skills. Oromotor evaluations identified restricted lip, tongue, and jaw movements, though the structures appeared normal. The child had oropharyngeal dysphagia and relied on PEG feeding, predominantly. Therapy included Augmentative and Alternative Communication methods like mid-tech E-Tran, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, dietary modifications, and oral exercises. After 20 sessions, progress was seen in recognizing stimuli, expressing emotions, improved eye tracking, and improving oral intake. This case underscores the significance of consistent swallowing and language intervention along with parental training for patients with encephalopathy with associated quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Moreover, it highlights the effectiveness of tailored and holistic therapeutic strategies, offering hope and improved prospects for children facing such complex developmental hurdles.
Keywords: Neonatal encephalopathy, cerebral palsy, speech and language development, feeding difficulties, oromotor weakness, case report, India
