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SLP’s role in Pierre Robin Syndrome
Breathing
○Signs of airway blockage: rapid breathing, stridor, sweating, restlessness, irritability, cyanosis
○Most babies with PRS outgrow breathing problems by 6-8 months
○Treatment may include special sleep positioning, oxygen and/or operation
■Do not place a baby or infant with PRS on his/her back (tongue can block the airway)
■Prone position is preferred
●Feeding
○If child with PRS also has cleft palate, newborn will have difficulty with suck
■Will lead to fatigue due to excessive energy
■Poor weight gain
■Increased risk for airway obstruction, dysphagia, reflux and aspiration due to micrognathia and glossoptosis
○Baby can only get formula out of a bottle by pressing the nipple against the gums or roof of the mouth using the tongue
○A feeding tube may be recommended as temporary solution for weight gain
●Hearing
○Signs of ear infection: fever, irritability, crying, not sleeping well, or pulling on the ears
○Refer to an ENT
●Speech
○As infant develops, the child may have difficulty producing sounds when beginning to talk.
■Malocclusions, dental deviations
○Speech distortions due to structural anomalies or neuromuscular disorder
○Receptive and expressive language impairments due to cognitive impairments
https://doi.org/10.1597/04-018.1
https://doi.org/10.7556/jaoa.2014.142