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Effect of an oral stimulation program on sucking skill maturation of preterm infants
1McGill University, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Insights
Oral stimulation programs significantly improve sucking skills in preterm infants. This intervention helps premature babies achieve full oral feedings faster and increases milk intake.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Infant Nutrition
Background:
- Preterm infants often exhibit immature sucking skills, impacting feeding efficacy and growth.
- Delayed oral feeding can prolong hospitalization and increase risks for preterm neonates.
- Developing effective interventions to enhance sucking maturation is crucial for infant well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a structured oral stimulation program on the sucking abilities of preterm infants.
- To determine if oral stimulation accelerates the transition to full oral feedings in premature neonates.
- To assess specific components of sucking performance, including intake, milk transfer rate, and pressure amplitudes.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 32 preterm infants (gestational age 28 weeks).
- The experimental group received 10 days of daily 15-minute peri- and intra-oral stimulation before feeding initiation.
- Sucking performance was measured using a specialized nipple-bottle apparatus, comparing experimental and control groups.
Main Results:
- The oral stimulation group achieved full oral feedings 7 days earlier than the control group.
- Enhanced expression component of sucking (mmHg) and greater overall intake (%) were observed in the stimulated group.
- No significant differences were found in sucking stage maturation, frequency, or the suction component's amplitude.
Conclusions:
- Daily oral stimulation effectively enhances the expression component of sucking in preterm infants.
- This intervention positively influences oral feeding performance, leading to earlier achievement of full oral feeds.
- Oral stimulation is a promising non-nutritive intervention for improving feeding outcomes in preterm neonates.
Abstract:
This study assessed the effect of an oral stimulation program on the maturation of sucking skills of preterm infants. Thirty-two preterm infants (13 males, 19 females), appropriate size for gestational age (gestational age at birth 28 wks, SD 1.2wks; birthweight 1002g, SD 251g), were randomly placed into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received a daily 15-minute oral stimulation program, consisting of stroking the peri- and intra-oral structures, for 10 days before the start of oral feedings. Sucking measures were monitored with a specially-designed nipple-bottle apparatus. Results indicate that the experimental group achieved full oral feedings 7 days sooner than the control group, and demonstrated greater overall intake (%), rate of milk transfer (mL/min), and amplitude of the expression component of sucking (mmHg). There was no difference in sucking stage maturation, sucking frequency, and amplitude of the suction component of sucking. Endurance, defined as ability to sustain the same sucking stage, sucking burst duration, and suction and expression amplitudes throughout a feeding session, was not significantly different between the two groups. The stimulation program enhanced the expression component of sucking, resulting in better oral feeding performance.
