Effect of Oral Care and Swallowing Interventions on Post extubation Dysphagia among Children at Pediatric Intensive Care Units

Rashed, Nagwa Ibrahim; Salama, Alyaa Hosameldin; Zayed, Doaa Abdelsattar

doi:10.21608/tsnj.2023.291033

Effect of Oral Care and Swallowing Interventions on Post extubation Dysphagia among Children at Pediatric Intensive Care Units

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University, Egypt

10.21608/tsnj.2023.291033

Abstract

Background, Post extubation dysphagia is a frequently experience problem in critically sick
children with recent intubation. Oral care and swallowing intervention are one of the treatment
modalities that can help to enhance swallowing function and reduce swallowing problems after
extubation. Aim was to evaluate the effect of oral care and swallowing interventions on post
extubation dysphagia among children at pediatric intensive care units. Design, A quasi-
experimental design was applied. Setting: the study was performed at the Pediatric intensive
care units at Menoufia University hospitals. Sample, A purposeful sampling of 60 hospitalized
pediatrics patients. Instruments four instruments were used. I; Social Characteristics Structured
Questionnaire, II; Oral Assessment Guide for Children. III; Bazaz dysphagia scale. IV;
Functional Oral Intake Scale. Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in the
total mean score of oral status in the study group after 7th and 14th days of intervention than on
pre intervention. Also, there was significant improvement in the study group in relation to
severity of dysphagia after 14th days of intervention than on pre intervention. Moreover, oral
intake level was improved in the study group after 14th days of intervention compared to control
group. Conclusion; nursing interventions that involves swallowing and oral care reduces post-
extubation dysphagia, improves clinical swallowing function, and increases the probability of
faster oral intake. Recommendations; swallowing education and oral care intervention should
be started as early as possible for children who intubated greater than 48 hours

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