Sensorimotor Stimulation on Oral Feeding

Background: Perinatal asphyxia and the resulting hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) are significant causes of irreversible adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in children. Neonates and infants with HIE commonly experience difficulties in learning the oromotor skills of sucking, swallowing, and breathing. These feeding problems can lead to severe complications such as weight loss, dehydration, malnutrition, and developmental deficits. Objective: The study aims to assess the efficacy of sensorimotor stimulation intervention on oral skills in neonates with post-hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: The study will include thirty infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. They will be divided into two equal groups: The study group receive traditional medical treatment as well as a sensorimotor stimulation program, whereas the control group receive only traditional medical treatment