MODE OF INTERVENTION OF SPEECH AND HEARING SERVICES IN THE CONTROL OF PREMATURE CHILDREN

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES
The World Health Organization defines a preterm newborn as anyone born before 37 weeks of age. The incidence of preterm birth and the survival rate of preterm infants is increasing, due to the use of the technology.
As a consequence, the presence of developmental disabilities in these children is high. Within these we can include auditory, linguistic and nutritional alterations. This is why the monitoring of these childrens is essential to reduce their morbidity and mortality and improve their quality of life.
Our objective is to understand how speech therapy services are involved in the monitoring and control of the premature childs in the hospitals of Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
We developed a survey that was answered by the bossess of the speech and hearing services of 13 hospitals in ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.

RESULTS
All hospitals that are part of the program for the monitoring and control of preterm newborn, have a premature care team and the speech-language pathology service intervenes in the early detection and monitoring of hearing disorders, communication and language disorders and suction,
swallowing and breathing disorders.

CONCLUSIONS
According to the data obtained in the surveys, the speech-language pathology service intervenes in the care of the premature child from derivations made by other services.