Nasoalveolar Molding and Feeding in Infants with Cleft Lip and Palate: An Exploratory Study of Parents' and Caregivers' Perceived Experiences.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) typically experience feeding difficulties due to an abnormal communication between the oral and nasal cavities, and novel therapies such as palate tissue engineering and nasoalveolar molding (NAM) are in need to improve the final outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the parents and caregivers perceptions on the potential of NAM to improve feeding in patients with CLP. METHODS: 42 infants with unilateral or bilateral CLP treated with NAM at a reference craniofacial unit were included in the study. Parents or caregivers completed a four-item questionnaire at 3 months of age, before cheiloplasty, evaluating the effects of NAM to improve nasal regurgitation, choking, air swallowing, and feeding time using a 4-point Likert scale. A total perceived feeding benefit score (range 4-16) was calculated. RESULTS: Parents and caregivers perceived a positive effect of NAM to improve choking (3.67 ± 0.53), nasal regurgitation (3.62 ± 0.58), and feeding time (3.50 ± 0.67), while air swallowing showed lower scores (3.19 ± 0.55). The total perceived feeding benefit score was 13.98 ± 1.57, indicating a high perceived benefit. No significant differences were found between males and females or between unilateral and bilateral clefts. CONCLUSIONS: Parents and caregivers consistently perceived a beneficial effect of NAM on patients' feeding. Although further research is required to determine the actual effectiveness of NAM, examining the perspectives reported by parents and caregivers could contribute to understand treatment experiences and guide family-centered care.