A review of feeding interventions for infants with cleft palate

Objective: A literature review was conducted to identify feeding interventions recommended for infants with cleft conditions. Selected articles were critically appraised using an evidence-based practice framework to determine the strength of the evidence underpinning each intervention. Design: Electronic databases were searched for reports of cleft palate feeding interventions. The selected articles were coded as being data driven or not; those containing data were then critically appraised using a recognized evidence hierarchy. Finally, each report was ascribed a level of evidence (from I to IV), depending on the quality of data presented. Results: Fifty-five articles published between 1955 and 2002 were reviewed. There are currently no completed systematic reviews relevant to this body of literature (level I evidence). Two well-designed randomized controlled trials (level II evidence) were found. These were considered to provide the strongest evidence for feeding intervention techniques. These articles described a combination of interventions, including early feeding and nutrition education, as well as assisted feeding methods for infants with isolated cleft conditions. Three examples of level III.3 evidence were also found. Fifty (91%) of 55 articles reviewed were non-data-driven reports of expert opinion (level IV). Conclusions: A paucity of evidence rated as either moderate or strong prevailed, underscoring the need for ongoing scientific evaluation of feeding interventions used with infants who have cleft palate. A number of factors, including the heterogeneity of samples studied, lack of replication of trials, and small sample sizes, affected the type and strength of evidence underpinning specific feeding interventions.