Logo UAB

Neonatal and Early Neuropediatric Attention

Code: 101693 ECTS Credits: 6
2025/2026
Degree Type Year
Logopedia OP 4

Contact

Name:
Pere Jordi Fàbregas Batlle
Email:
perejordi.fabregas@uab.cat

Teachers

Pere Jordi Fàbregas Batlle

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

None. It is advisable to have completed and refreshed the contents of "Deglució i transtorns relacionats: valoració i intervenció", " Canvis biològics en el cicle vital: implicacions per a la logopèdia " " Patologia de la audició, la parla, la veu i la deglució " and " Neurologia del llenguatge "


Objectives and Contextualisation

The objective of the subject is to achieve competences in:

- Main events and phases of pre and postnatal development.

- Basic concepts related to physical birth defects, teratology and pathologies that affect the baby. 

- General introduction to neonatology and neuropaediatrics.

- Neurodevelopment and sensory and cognitive maturation.

 - Life-threatening neonates and/or neurological sequelae.

- Evaluation of motor, sensory, cognitive and language development.

- Neurosensory and cognitive stimulation in neonates.

- Family advice in neonatology.

- Interdisciplinary intervention and interinstitutional collaboration.


Learning Outcomes

  1. CM19 (Competence) Interpret assessment data and other relevant information for diagnostic purposes in neonatology, paediatrics and geriatrics.
  2. KM52 (Knowledge) Explain the influence of pre-, peri- and neonatal brain damage on language and communication, as well as non-verbal oral functions.
  3. SM36 (Skill) Use basic research terminology in the field of neuropaediatrics, neonatology, neurophoniatrics, and other related disciplines.
  4. SM37 (Skill) Use speech therapy assessment techniques and tools in neonatology, paediatrics, and geriatrics.
  5. SM38 (Skill) Plan actions in neonatology, paediatrics and geriatrics to prevent language, voice and swallowing disorders, based on case studies.

Content

UNIT 1. Normal human development:

  1. Molecular bases of development:
  2. Human embryonic and fetal development
    1. Chronology of human prenatal development: embryonic and fetal periods.
    2. Maternal-fetal interaction: maternal and environmental developmental factors
    3. Placenta and fetal membranes:
  3. Postnatal development
    1. Adaptation to postnatal life
    2. Newborn, breastfeeding, preschool, school and adolescent

UNIT 2. Anomalous development:

  1. Physical birth defects: concept and classification
  2. Teratology:
    1. Teratogenic factors and agents
    2. Epidemiology of anomalous development
  3. Pathology of the newborn:
    1. Low birth weight, prematurity, sIUGR
    2. Nervous system defects
    3. Defects of the sense organs: vision and hearing.
    4. Defects of the cardiovascular system
    5. Respiratory system defects
    6. Developmental defects of the face and palate
    7. Digestive system defects

UNIT 3. Concept of neonatology, neurodevelopment and early stimulation

UNIT 4. Neonatology: diagnosis and intervention

  1. Neonatal intensive care units (NICU)
  2. Multidisciplinary diagnosis of the newborn
  3. Speech therapist's intervention in the newborn
    1. Orofacial stimulation
    2. Food: SNN training
    3. Food: neonatal dysphagia
    4. Family approach

UNIT 5. Neurodevelopment

  1. Monitoring risks throughout neurodevelopment
  2. Risks and implications for language, speech, communication, feeding and swallowing.
  3. Family approach

UNIT 6. Early stimulation: 0-6 years

  1. Early detection and intervention in neurodevelopmental disorders
  2. Family approach and accompaniment

Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Classes teòriques 24 0.96
Seminaris de casos pràctics 12 0.48
Type: Supervised      
Tutories de consulta 30 1.2
Type: Autonomous      
Estudi, desenvolupament d'esquemes, elaboració de treballs 58 2.32

1. Theoretical sessions

Systematized exposition of the syllabus of the subject. For the acquisition of the basic scientific knowledge of the subject and that must be complemented with the personal study.

2. Practical sessions:

Practical sessions of observation and analysis of embryonic and fetal material from different species, analysis of clinical problems related to developmental alterations, evaluation of neurodevelopmental disorders and analysis of clinical cases related to neonatology.

These sessions promote group work and active learning.

3. Monographic work (TM):

TM constitutes evidence 3 of the subject.

In TM, students delve into a topic related to the subject of the subject, from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Methodology: TM is a group work. The result of the work carried out will be presented in a video format, of 5-10 minutes duration, through the virtual campus.

 

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.


Assessment

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Monographic work (Evidence 3) 20% 20 0.8 SM36, SM37
Practical exam of evidence 1 and 2 32 % 3 0.12 CM19, SM37, SM38
Theoretical exam (Evidence 1 and 2) 48% 3 0.12 KM52, SM36

EVALUATION:

A. CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT

The competences of this subject are evaluated continuously throughout the course through two partial exams (Evidences 1 and 2) and a group work (Evidence 3).

Assessments 1 and 2 are individual and face-to-face and evidence 3 is "in groups" and virtual.

Evidence 1 is carried out during the first evaluation period and evidence 2 is carried out during the second evaluation period.

A.1. Evidences 1 and 2: The evaluation of the acquisition of theoretical knowledge and practical skills of the subject will be carried out through two midterm exams (EVIDENCE 1 and EVIDENCE 2), each of which will be composed of two parts:

  1. THEORETICAL PART: Written exam of short / medium / long questions related to concepts exposed in the theoretical classes. It corresponds to 60% of the mark of the midterm exam.
  2. PRACTICAL PART: Written test with different formats in relation to the theme developed in the different practical activities. It may consist of discussion of clinical cases, resolution of clinical problems, analysis of images related to pathology or normal development or any other activity related to the topic addressed in the practical sessions. It corresponds to 40% of the grade of the midterm exam.

Therefore, the mark of each midterm exam (Evidence 1 and Evidence 2) will be obtained from the following mathematical operation:

Midterm exam grade (Evidence 1 or 2) = Theoretical grade x 0.6 + Practical grade x 0.4

A.2. Evidence 3: Monographic work: Throughout the duration of the subject, a group work will be carried out based on the study and deepening of a topic related to the scope of the subject. This monographic work will be delivered, at most, on the date on which evidence 2 is carried out. It will be evaluated with a grade of 0-10 and comments will be made about it on the Virtual Campus.

B.  FINAL GRADE AND SUFFICIENCY OF THE SUBJECT:

The final gradeof the subject will correspond to the weighted average of the marks of the three evidences (EV1: First partial, EV2: Second partial and EV3: Monographic work) and will be obtained by applying the following mathematical formula:

Final Grade = EV1 x 0.4 + Note EV2 x 0.4 + Grade EV3 x 0.2

To obtain the sufficiency of the subject, a grade equal to or greater than 5,0 must be obtained with the indispensable requirement of having obtained a minimum of 4,0 points in each of the evidences.

C. RECOVERY ASSESSMENT:

Those who have not achieved the sufficiency of the subject through the continuous evaluation tests of the subject will be able to take again the EV1 and EV2 of the recovery exam.

To take the recovery assessment it is necessary to have been evaluated in a minimum of 2/3 of the final grade.

The recovery assessment will consist of two separate parts corresponding to EV1 and EV2, which will have the same characteristics as those previously carried out in the continuous assessment.

The marks obtained in the recovery assessment will replace those obtained in the continuous assessment provided if they are higher than those obtained previously.

The final grade and obtaining the sufficiency of the subject after the recovery assessment exam follow the same rules as previously explained for continuous assessment.

There is no pre-established method to recover the monographic work (EV3). In the case of not having achieved the minimum grade to obtain the sufficiency grade of the subject, the way to achieve it will be assessed in each case.

D. NOT EVALUABLE:

The student who has submitted evidences of learning with a weight equal to or greater than 4,0 points (40%) will not be able to appear in acts as 'not evaluable'.

Students of 2nd or later enrollment are not expected to be evaluated by means of a single non-recoverable synthesis test

Link to the assessment guidelines of thefaculty: https://www.uab.cat/web/estudiar/graus/graus/avaluacions-1345722525858.html

E. SINGLE ASSESSMENT:

THE SINGLE ASSESSMENT IS REQUESTED APPLY ELECTRONICALLY (E-FORM) IN THE SPECIFIC PERIOD (more information on the Faculty website)

Single assessment

It will be held on the same day as the second partial of the subject with an added time for the oral presentations of the monographic work.

Assessment 1: Examination on theoretical knowledge (48% of the single assessment mark)

It consists of a written test of questions to be developed.

Assessment of practical skills test (32% of the single assessment mark)

It consists of a set of activities related to the practical part of the subject.

Assessment 3: Monographic assignment (20% of the single assessment mark)

Work with the same characteristics as the "monographic work" of the continuous assessment. In the case of single assessment, the work will be presented face-to-face to the teachers.

Reassessment of the single assessment

It will be carried out on the same day of the recovery of the continuous evaluation. It will be applied the same system than in the first instance of the single evaluation, with the exception of the monographic work for which the previous exhibition note will be kept.

THE TRANSLATION OF THE FACE-TO-FACE ASSESSMENT TESTS WILL BE DELIVERED IF THE REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED IN ARTICLE 263 ARE MET AND THEIR APPLICATION IS MADE. APPLICATION WEEK 4 ONLINE (E-FORM) (more information on the Faculty website).


Bibliography

Bibliography

1. Developmental biology

1.1. Fundamental bibliography:

Sadler TW (2019) Embriología médica de Langman 14ª edición. Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Buenos Aires. (Manual de referència) Available online in  Bibliioteques UAB.

1.2. Further reading:

Carlson BM (2020) Embriología Humana y Biología del Desarrollo. 6a edición. Ed. Elsevier, Madrid.

Embryology UNSW Australia https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Main_Page

 2.       Neonatology

2.1. Fundamental bibliography:

José María Ceriani Cernadas, Gonzalo Mariani Ernesto, A. Lupo Alejandro Jenik (2018). Neonatología práctica. Editorial Médica Panamericana. (Manual de referència)

John P. Cloerty, Ann R Stark (2017). Manual de neonatología. Lippicott, Williams and Wilkins. 

Morris S, Klein M. Pre-feeding skills: a comprehensive resource for mealtime development, 2nd ed. San Antonio, USA: Pro-ed; 2000.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Roles and Responsibilities of Speech-Language Pathologists in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Guidelines 2005. Disponible en: https://egrove.olemiss.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1528&context=hon_thesis.

Rodríguez S, De Ribera CG, García MPA. El recién nacido prematuro. Protocolos Diagnóstico Terapéuticos de la Asociación Española de Pediatría AEP. Neonatología. 2008;2(8):68-77

2.2. Further reading:

Garcia-Ezquerra, R. - Paniagua J - Giménez, P – Murciego, P – De Almeida, M. Abordaje a la disfagia pediátrico-neonatal. 1ª edición junio 2022. Editorial Elsevier ES

Rosa Sampallo Pedroza (2015). Neonatos y lactantes menores: guía orofacial y deglutoria. Evaluación, diagnóstico e internción terapéutica. Universidad Nacional de Colombia.

 


Software

In order to follow the subject is enough with the Microsoft Office Packege. 

Use of AI: Permitted use: In this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed as an integral part of the development of the work, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution of the student in the analysis and personal reflection. The students should clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used, and include critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final outcome of the activity. The non-transparency of the use of AI will be considered academic dishonesty and may lead to a penalty in the grade of the activity, or greater sanctions in cases of severity.


Groups and Languages

Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(SEM) Seminars 111 Catalan second semester afternoon
(SEM) Seminars 112 Catalan second semester afternoon
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan second semester afternoon