An investigation of the features of the pre-term infant palate and the effect of prolonged orotracheal intubation with and without protective appliances.

The features of premature low birth weight infant palates were examined. Babies of less than 32 weeks gestation at birth were compared with 30 who had required orotracheal intubation for ten or more days. By random selection half of these babies were fitted with a protective supporting appliance during the intubation phase. Prolonged orotracheal intubation was shown to be associated with narrowing, deepening and some anterior elongation of the developing palate. The protective appliance was shown to reduce the extent of these changes and provided an additional means of orotracheal tube support.