Publication Date
2014
Document Type
Thesis
Committee Members
Subhashini Ganapathy (Committee Member), Sudarshan Jadcherla (Committee Member), Nasser Kashou (Advisor)
Degree Name
Master of Science in Engineering (MSEgr)
Abstract
Neonates are at a rapid stage of development from birth throughout childhood. Impairments to certain cortical areas can result in long lasting neuro-cognitive dysfunctions. Disorders to the swallowing neural pathways can have detrimental effects throughout life course since methods to provide nutrition can be comprised. Dysphagia, or the inability to swallow, can be caused by a multitude of reasons, chiefly neurological, but the underlying disruptions to the neural pathways are not defined. In this study we investigated the growth of multiple cortical areas involved in the swallowing pathway and categorized feeding outcomes with neural growth. Results showed that infants that were discharged on oral feeds had higher growth rates compared to those that had a feeding tube implanted. This is the first study to look at volumetric analysis for neonates with feeding issues.
Page Count
59
Department or Program
Department of Biomedical, Industrial & Human Factors Engineering
Year Degree Awarded
2014
Copyright
Copyright 2014, all rights reserved. This open access ETD is published by Wright State University and OhioLINK.
