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The association between sucking behavior in preterm infants and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years of age

Mechteld I Wolthuis-Stigter1, Margreet R Luinge1, Saakje P da Costa1

  • 1Research and Innovation Group Health Care and Nursing, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|October 15, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Difficulties with infant sucking patterns at specific postmenstrual ages (PMA) are linked to abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes by age 2 years. This highlights sucking behavior as a potential early marker for developmental issues in preterm infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Development
  • Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
  • Infant Sucking Behavior

Background:

  • Preterm infants face higher risks of neurodevelopmental challenges.
  • Early identification of risk factors is crucial for timely intervention.
  • Sucking patterns may reflect underlying neurological development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between specific sucking behaviors and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants at 2 years of age.
  • To determine if certain periods of postmenstrual age (PMA) are critical for assessing these risks.
  • To identify early markers of abnormal neurodevelopment in preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal cohort study of 52 preterm infants (mean GA 29.5 weeks).
  • Sucking patterns assessed using the Neonatal Oral-Motor Assessment Scale between 37-50 weeks PMA.
  • Neurodevelopmental outcomes evaluated at 2 years using neurologic examination and Bayley Scales.

Main Results:

  • Inability to sustain sucking at 46 weeks PMA significantly increased odds of abnormal neurodevelopment (OR 6.25).
  • Absence of a mature sucking pattern at 44 weeks PMA also significantly increased odds (OR 6.30).
  • Other assessed sucking elements showed high odds but did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions:

  • Specific sucking behaviors at 4-6 weeks postterm are associated with abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants.
  • This period may represent a sensitive developmental window where sucking reflects neurodevelopmental status.
  • Early identification of abnormal sucking patterns could facilitate timely interventions for preterm infants.
Abstract

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