Comparison of different feeding methods for babies with unilateral cleft lip and palate: a clinical randomized controlled trial

Objective: To compare the effect of a rigid feeding plate, a flexible feeding plate, and a special feeding teat on feeding babies with unilateral cleft lip and palate.
Materials and methods: This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the feeding efficiency and comfort of three management strategies—rigid acrylic plates, flexible vacuum-formed plates, and specialized cleft teats—in neonates with unilateral cleft lip and palate prior to surgical repair. The study enrolled 30 full-term infants within two weeks of birth, randomly assigned to three groups: acrylic plates (A), flexible plates (F), and no plates with a special silicone teat (T). Feeding efficiency was measured, alongside the number of appliance adjustment visits.
Results: Results demonstrated that in fants using acrylic plates exhibited significantly higher feeding efficiency compared to those with flexible plates or no plates with specialized teats, with no significant difference between the latter two. The flexible plate group required more adjustment visits, indicating lower stability.
Conclusion: The study concludes that rigid acrylic feeding appliances provide superior feeding performance in neonates with unilateral cleft lip and palate, whereas flexible plates are associated with increased adjustments. These findings support the use of acrylic plates as the preferred pre-surgical feeding aid in this population.