Congenital heart disease in children: Orofacial myofunctional aspects, eating behavior and facial temperature

To characterize the eating behavior, orofacial, speech myofunctional conditions, and facial temperature of children with congenital heart disease. This is a cross-sectional and analytical study. The sample consisted of 30 children with heart disease (cyanotic or acyanotic; mean of 5.48 ± 0.84 years old) and 28 healthy children (4.98 ± 0.64 years old). Parents were given a questionnaire to assess eating behaviors (Montreal Children's Hospital Feeding Scale). The orofacial myofunctional assessment protocol (OMES-E), the Child Language Test (ABFW), and thermography infrared of facial temperature were used. Data analysis was conducted by student's t-tests, Chi-square, logistic regression, and correlation analysis. Eating behavior in Parents did not perceive eating behavior differences between the heart disease and control groups. However, the percentage of children with some feeding difficulty was higher in the heart disease group. There was a difference between groups regarding the appearance and posture of structures, the mobility of the mandibular and cheek, swallowing function, and the total function score. Thermographic variables did not differ between the groups, but better performance in orofacial functions correlated with the temperature of the labial commissure and lower lip points. The frequency of children with eating difficulties was higher among those with congenital heart disease, as was the increased facial temperature at the medial eyelid commissions point when submitted to interventional procedures. The orofacial myofunctional aspects showed changes in posture and position, mobility, and orofacial functions among children with heart disease as compared to the control group. There was a correlation between the temperature of the thermo-anatomical points of the labial commissure and the lower lip as well as the OMES-E function score.