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The development of sucking patterns and physiologic correlates in very-low-birth-weight infants
B Medoff-Cooper1, T Verklan, S Carlson
1University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, Philadelphia.
Insights
Nutritive sucking patterns in very-low-birth-weight infants mature with age, showing increased sucks and pressure. These sucking measurements can indicate appropriate infant development and organization.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Infant neurodevelopment
Background:
- Very-low-birth-weight infants often face challenges in developing adequate nutritive sucking.
- Understanding sucking patterns is crucial for assessing infant maturation and feeding readiness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the development of nutritive sucking patterns in very-low-birth-weight infants.
- To identify physiologic correlates associated with these sucking patterns.
- To determine if sucking parameters can serve as indicators of infant maturation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 106 sucking records from 50 very-low-birth-weight infants (mean gestational age 29.5 weeks).
- Measurement of sucking parameters: number of sucks, maximum pressure, time per burst, and time between sucks.
- Monitoring of physiologic data: heart rate, oxygen saturation, systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Main Results:
- Sucking parameters like number of sucks and maximum pressure increased with postconceptual age.
- Time required per burst and time between sucks decreased between 32 and 36 weeks.
- Physiologic measures remained within normal ranges, with slight variations correlating with age.
Conclusions:
- Nutritive sucking patterns in very-low-birth-weight infants demonstrate clear developmental progression.
- Sucking parameter measurements are valuable for assessing infant maturation and organization relative to postconceptual age.
Abstract:
The purpose of this investigation was to assess the development of nutritive sucking patterns and physiologic correlates in very-low-birth-weight infants. Fifty infants with a mean gestational age of 29.5 weeks (SD = 1.8 weeks) and mean birth weight of 1466 g (SD = 322 g) generated 106 sucking records. The mean number of sucks and maximum pressure increased with increasing postconceptual age. The time required per burst decreased between 32 weeks and 36 weeks. The mean time between sucks also decreased. The mean heart rates for the three 5-minute periods ranged from 158.56 to 177.97 bpm. Mean oxygen saturation ranged from 94.36% to 97.15%. Mean systolic pressure ranged from 69.82 mm Hg to 76.85 mm Hg mean diastolic pressure from 43.63 mm Hg to 45.33 mmHg. Sucking parameter measurements can be used to distinguish an infant who is maturing and organizing appropriately for postconceptual age.