The Complex Relationship Between Dehydration and Dysphagia in Neonates

Abstract

Dehydration in neonates and preterm infants is a severe diagnosis that can have critical results if not quickly identified and treated. Dehydration can cause difficulties in infants who are typically developing and those with developmental challenges. The diagnosis can also cause or exacerbate feeding difficulties in these neonates, resulting in dysphagia. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who serve neonates and infants should be aware of the signs, causes, and symptoms of dehydration to properly assess and treat these fragile populations.