Background: A Survival rate in early preterm infants has increased over the last 30 years, but many of these infants have medical and developmental problems. Difficulty with feeding and poor nutrition complications are common, which contribute to their readmission and morbidity. Objective: To purpose of this study was to assess whether an oral motor stimulation intervention can decrease the time to achieve full oral feeding and shorten the length of hospitalization in preterm infants. Design and Methods: Seventy-five preterm infants born at 30 to ≤ 32 weeks gestational age were randomly assigned to three groups to assess intervention effects. Two groups received the intervention once per day with varying different intervention doses across time, while the control group received a sham intervention. Results:The time needed to reach full oral feeding was significantly different among groups (P <0.0001). Infants who received the intervention from initiation of tube feedings until full oral feeding (high dose) gained full oral feedings and were discharged from the hospital earlier than the low dose and control groups (P = 0.0001). Infants in the high dose group were discharged 6 days earlier than controls and 4 days earlier than the low dose group. Conclusion: Oral motor stimulation intervention accelerated the time to full oral feeding and decreased the length of hospital stay.
Background: Being born preterm presents numerous challenges for the preterm infant including neurodevelopmental immaturity, physiologic instability, and behavioral state disorganization. In this context, there are often challenges with the initiation and achievement of full oral feedings. Recognition and support of oral feeding readiness may accelerate feeding progression period and decrease length of hospital stay (LOS), thereby reducing healthcare costs. Supporting effective cue-based oral feeding through use of rigorous assessment or evidence-based care guidelines can optimize the hospital experience for infants and caregivers. Aims: This study aimed to assess premature infant's readiness level at the beginning of oral feeding. Identify factors that contributed to readiness in premature infants. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional design used in this study. Subjects: A convenience sample of 75 stable premature infants recruited from five neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Assuit city, Egypt. Infants' gestational age ranged from 30 to ≤ 32 weeks post menstrual age (PMA). Tools: Infant's readiness assessed directly after oral feeding was introduced by using Neonatal Oral Motor Assessment scale (NOMAS). Results: Majority of the premature infants showed feeding readiness behavior (74.7%) when they received their first oral feeding. No relationship between infants' gestational age at birth or weight and readiness behavior was observed. Conclusion: Most of infants had high level of readiness when oral feeding was initiated, correlation between infant's characteristics and readiness level were not significant. Recommendations: Encourage clinician to use standard measure as NOMAS to early assess readiness behavior of premature infants. And address NOMAS as a routine process in NICUs.
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