Course Description
Airway pathology in neonates presents complex challenges that intersect the domains of breathing, feeding, and early communication development. For otolaryngologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs), understanding the nuances of neonatal airway disorders is critical to accurate assessment and effective intervention. This 3.5 hour course will review the anatomy and physiology of the neonatal airway, emphasizing common structural and dynamic pathologies such as laryngomalacia, tracheomalacia, subglottic stenosis, laryngeal clefts, and vocal fold paralysis. Findings, work-up, and interdisciplinary management strategies will be discussed.
Participants will explore how airway compromise influences suck–swallow–breathe coordination, airway protection, and early vocalization. Case examples will illustrate differential diagnosis between airway and oropharyngeal etiologies of dysphagia, and the interpretation of instrumental evaluations such as flexible endoscopy, bronchoscopy, and videofluoroscopic swallow studies. This course will highlight the importance of collaborative practice in optimizing outcomes for medically fragile infants.
Target Audience
OT, SLP, PT, RN, and Neonatal professionals
Level
Intermediate
Course Objectives
Instructional Method
Lecture, videos, and case studies. Learning assessment and course evaluation follow the course.
Course Completion Requirements
The learner must view the entire webinar, complete the course evaluation, and achieve a score of at least 80% on the post-webinar learning assessment to receive education credit. Login and logout times are recorded and documented. Following course completion, learners receive a CE certificate and a zip file containing the necessary information to submit for education credit to their individual state, where required. The zip file will include a course bibliography. Physical therapists are responsible for knowing and adhering to their state’s CE deadlines, rules, and regulations.
Speaker Bios
Yann-Fuu Kou, MD is a pediatric otolaryngologist at Dallas Children’s Medical Center. He was raised in Austin, Texas, went to the University of Texas at Austin and then completed medical school and his otolaryngology residency at UT Southwestern. He then went to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to complete a fellowship in complex pediatric otolaryngology. In addition to general pediatric otolaryngology, his practice currently focuses on complex aerodigestive disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, and airway reconstruction.
Cynthia Wang, MD is a pediatric otolaryngologist at Dallas Children’s Medical Center. She was raised in Northern California, then went on to complete her undergraduate and medical degrees at Duke University. She then completed her otolaryngology residency at UT Southwestern and went to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to complete a fellowship in complex pediatric otolaryngology. In addition to general pediatric otolaryngology, her practice currently focuses on complex aerodigestive disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, and airway reconstruction.
Ashley Brown, MS CCC-SLP, BCS-S is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders at Children’s Health Medical Center in Dallas, TX. She specializes in pediatric complex airway, tracheostomy, and dysphagia. She is the lead SLP in the Children’s Health Airway Management Program. Ashley has spoken at multiple conferences around the country on pediatric airway disorders and dysphagia, palliative care, and professional issues. She has been published in multiple peer-reviewed medical journals as a co-author on topics related to pediatric tracheostomy and dysphagia.
Disclosures
Yann-Fuu Kou, MD
No relevant disclosures.
Cynthia Wang, MD
No relevant disclosures.
Ashley Brown, MS CCC-SLP, BCS-S
No relevant disclosures.
Conflict of Interest
There is no conflict of interest for anyone with the ability to control content for this activity.
Module 1 Agenda
00:00-20:00 min: Introduction to topic, anatomy & physiology of airway, instrumental swallow evaluation
20:00-40:00 min: Laryngomalacia – assessment and management
40:00-54:00 min: Recorded questions and answers
Module 2 Agenda
00:00-30:00 min: Vocal cord paralysis – assessment and management
30:00-66:00 min: Subglottic stenosis – assessment and management
Module 3 Agenda
00:00-30:00 min: Laryngeal cleft – assessment and management
30:00-60:00 min: Micrognathia/retrognathia, craniofacial – assessment and management
60:00-90:00 min: Tracheal pathologies – assessment and management
90:00-100:00 min: Recorded questions and answers
100:00-105:00 min: Learning assessment
Registration information
Members: Click the “Login” button at the top of the screen to verify your Membership and purchase this course at the discounted Member rate. After logging into your account, click “Buy Now”.
Non-Members: You may purchase this course as a non-member by clicking the “Buy Now” button above. Join NANT to receive this course at the discounted Member rate.
For ADA accommodations, please contact NANT Customer Support for more information at (866) 999-5524.
Speech-language pathologists may update their ASHA CE reporting preference at any time by accessing their NANT Hub profile.
Cancellation Policy
Continuing Education Information
AOTA CEUs
National Association of Neonatal Therapists® (NANT) is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID# 17096. This Distance Learning-Independent Course is offered at 0.35 CEUs (Intermediate level, Occupational Therapy Service Delivery & Foundational Knowledge). AOTA does not endorse specific course content, products, or clinical procedures.
This course is approved for 3.5 contact hours.
Learners must complete the entire course in order to receive ASHA CEUs. No partial credit awarded. ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products or clinical procedures.
ASHA CE Registry users: NANT will submit your ASHA CEU credit to ASHA on your behalf. ASHA CEUs may take up to 100 days to appear on your ASHA Transcript.
Non-ASHA CE Registry users: Maintain your course records and please keep your registry status current in your NANT account. Update your NANT account with your ASHA number if your registry status changes. NANT is not responsible for tracking your registry usage.
PT CE Credit
This activity is provided by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners Accredited Provider 2801058TX and meets continuing competence requirements for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant licensure renewal in Texas. This activity is offered for 3.5 CCUs for PTs and PTAs.
The assignment of Texas PT CCUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by TPTA or TBPTE.
NANT is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Physical Therapy as an approved provider of physical therapy and physical therapist assistant continuing education.
*NANT 16 attendees who previously viewed this educational content may retake this course and receive CE Credit.
Questions regarding CE credit should be directed to the National Association of Neonatal Therapists at [email protected] or (866) 999-5524.
