Pharyngeal stimulus‐induced reflexes are impaired in infants with perinatal asphyxia: Does maturation modify?

Abstract

Compared to controls, HIE infants display significant hypertonicity of skeletal muscle components, impairment of pharyngeal provocation-induced reflexes and smooth muscle contractile vigor, reflecting poor propagation with maturation. These mechanisms may be responsible for inadequate clearance of secretions, ascending refluxate, and oropharyngeal bolus in HIE infants.