Interaction between Nonnutritive Sucking and Respiration in Preterm Infants

Abstract

The effect of nonnutritive sucking bursts (NNSBs) on respiratory frequency was sequentially evaluated in 12 healthy preterm infants. Studies were performed during active sleep in infants between 32 and 37 weeks postconceptional age. The duration of NNSBs was classified as follows: (a) less than 3 s, (b) between 3 and 6 s, and (c) greater than 6 s. NNSBs of each duration were found at all ages, although NNSBs > 6 s were the least frequently observed. Respiratory rate increased significantly during NNSBs of less than 3 s, and also in those of 3–6 s duration. There was no significant effect on respiratory frequency of sucking bursts longer than 6 s. Our results document an early interaction between these two motor rhythms, which is influenced by the length of the NNSB. Moreover, they indicate that the decrease in respiratory frequency reported in a similar group of preterm infants during feeding should not be interpreted as an effect of sucking per se.

Dynamics of oralrespiratory coordination in full‐term and preterm infants: I. Comparisons at 38‐40 weeks postconceptional age

“…Moreover, the interaction between sucking and breathing differentiated between infants with low and high optimality scores on obstetrical assessment, even when neurological examination was not discriminating. Paludetto, Robertson and Martin (1986) reported similar findings in healthy preterm infants between 32 and 37 weeks postconceptional age during active sleep, and specifically considered the effect of sucking burst length on respiration. Despite some differences in scoring procedure, the same basic result was apparent: respiratory frequency increased during sucking bursts, presumably because the faster sucking rhythm directly affected respiratory rate.…”

Nonnutritive Sucking during Heelstick Procedures Decreases Behavioral Distress in the Newborn Infant

“…In preterm infants, nonnutritive sucking (NNS) seems to increase transcutaneous oxygenation without causing changes in respiratory rate [31,32]. During gavage feeding NNS favours gastrointestinal motility by improving nutrient absorption, weight gain, favoring the change to bottle feeding [33,34].…”

Comparative Review of Techniques for Recording Respiratory Events at Rest and during Deglutition

“…Thus, a nude thermistor is preferable to a glass-coated version which many groups employ. The response time for a nude thermistor is approximately 40 ms, the output signal being almost linear against flow for flow rats <21 min −1 [8] (the actual response varies with the temperature of the flowing air Respiratory inductance Abdominal and chest movement R Plethysmography [36] Respiratory inductance Abdominal and chest movement (⇒ tidal volume) F Plethysmography [37] No details of method Nasal and oral airflow [42] Mercury-in-rubber chest strain gauge Chest movement F Nasal thermistor bead assembly Nasal airflow [28,43] Graseby pressure bulb Abdominal movement F [44] Mercury strain gauge Abdominal and thoracic movement R [23] Strain gauges Abdominal and thoracic wall movement F Thermistor Nasal airflow [45] Pneumograph expansion belt Abdominal movement R [11] Miniaturized nasal pneumotach Nasal airflow F [46] CO 2 analyzer Nasal airflow F [47] Impedance pneumography Chest movement F [48] Self-retaining nasal flowmeter Nasal airflow F Respiratory inductance Chest and abdominal movement Plethysmography [49] Total body plethysmograph Thoracic gas volume, tidal flow R Esophageal balloon Esophageal pressure [50] Small glass bead thermistor in front of nostril Nasal airflow R [24] Rubber bag on abdomen Respiratory effort F [51] Self-retaining nasal thermistor Nasal airflow R Respiratory inductance Abdominal movement Plethysmography [52] Pneumotachograph Nasal airflow R/F [7] Sensitive infant nasal anemometer thermistor Nasal airflow F [1] Nasal flowmeter Nasal airflow F CO 2 analyzer Oral airflow Infant respiratory bellows Abdominal inspiratory effort [30] Strain gauge pneumograph Chest movement R [31] Cannulae inside nostril Nasal airflow R [32] Nose mask with heated pneumotachograph Nasal airflow F [2] Respiratory inductance Respiratory movement F Plethysmograph Nasal airflow Nasal thermistor [33] Nasal cannulae (EDAT) Nasal airflow F and between individual thermistors). The tube may be held directly in the flow stream or mounted in a mask and held over the nose and/or the mouth for resting respiratory studies.…”