Prácticas de evaluación de la deglución en lactantes menores hospitalizados reportadas por fonoaudiólogos iberoamericanos: Estudio piloto

Introduction: Swallowing in young infants is a complex process integrating neurological, respiratory, digestive, and oromotor functions. In a hospital setting, early assessment is crucial for identifying abnormalities that could compromise feeding safety, growth, and child development. However, there is a scarcity of standardized and validated tools for this population in Ibero-America, leading to variability in clinical practices. Objective: To describe the strategies, tools, and clinical criteria used by Ibero-American speech-language pathologists to assess swallowing in hospitalized young infants. Methodology: A pilot study with a mixed-methods design and an exploratory-descriptive scope was conducted, involving fifteen speech-language pathologists from twelve Ibero-American countries with experience in neonatal and pediatric hospital settings. Data was collected via a semi-structured interview validated by three experts. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data underwent open and axial coding using ATLAS.ti. Results: 53.3% of participants reported using standardized protocols, whereas 46.7% based their assessments on clinical observation and non-standardized tools. Structured clinical observation (66.7%) and parental reports (60%) were the most frequently used strategies. All participants identified the suck-swallow-breathe coordination as the primary clinical indicator of feeding safety. They also highlighted the need for comprehensive, practical tools that are sensitive to neurodevelopment and the family context. Key barriers identified included a lack of tools validated for both content and cultural appropriateness, as well as institutional restrictions on their use. Conclusions: Swallowing assessment in hospitalized infants combines standardized protocols, clinical observation, and professional judgment. There is a need to develop and validate tools that are culturally appropriate for Ibero-American contexts and to strengthen evidence-based practice.