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Uncoordinated sucking patterns in preterm infants are associated with abnormal general movements
Tjitske Nieuwenhuis1, Saakje P da Costa, Ellen Bilderbeek
1Division of Neonatology, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. t.nieuwenhuis@umcg.nl
Insights
Preterm infants with uncoordinated sucking patterns showed more abnormal fidgety movements. This suggests that abnormal sucking, swallowing, and breathing may indicate neurologic dysfunction in these infants.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental pediatrics
- Infant motor control
- Oral motor function
Background:
- Preterm infants often exhibit developmental challenges.
- Fidgety movements are early indicators of neurological development.
- Sucking patterns mature throughout infancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between sucking patterns and fidgety movements in preterm infants.
- To determine if abnormal sucking is linked to impaired motor development.
Main Methods:
- Studied 44 preterm infants (<35 weeks gestational age) longitudinally.
- Assessed sucking patterns using the Neonatal Oral-Motor Assessment Scale.
- Evaluated fidgety movements at 14 weeks postterm from video recordings.
Main Results:
- Normal sucking patterns developed later in infants with poorer fidgety movement quality.
- Uncoordinated sucking patterns were significantly associated with abnormal fidgety movements (OR 7.5).
- The timing of normal sucking development correlated with fidgety movement quality.
Conclusions:
- Sucking pattern development is linked to fidgety movement quality in preterm infants.
- Uncoordinated sucking, swallowing, and breathing may signal neurological dysfunction.
- Early identification of abnormal sucking patterns could aid in detecting neurological issues.
Objective:
To examine the association between sucking patterns and the quality of fidgety movements in preterm infants.
Study Design:
We studied the sucking patterns and fidgety movements of 44 preterm infants (gestational age <35 weeks) longitudinally from 34 weeks' postmenstrual age up to 14 weeks postterm. We used the Neonatal Oral-Motor Assessment Scale during feeding and scored the sucking patterns as normal or abnormal. Abnormal sucking patterns were categorized into arrhythmic sucking and uncoordinated sucking. At 14 weeks postterm, we scored the quality of fidgety movements from videotapes as normal, abnormal, or absent.
Results:
The postmenstrual age at which sucking patterns became normal (median, 48 weeks; range, 34 to >50 weeks) was correlated with the quality of fidgety movements (Spearman ρ = -0.33; P = .035). The percentage per infant of normal and uncoordinated sucking patterns was also correlated with the quality of fidgety movements (ρ = 0.31; P = .048 and ρ = -0.33; P = .032, respectively). Infants with uncoordinated sucking patterns had a higher rate of abnormal fidgety movements (OR, 7.5; 95% CI, 1.4-40; P = .019).
Conclusion:
The development of sucking patterns in preterm infants was related to the quality of fidgety movements. Uncoordinated sucking patterns were associated with abnormal fidgety movements, indicating that uncoordinated sucking, swallowing, and breathing may represent neurologic dysfunction.
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