Oral stimulation as a part of developmental care in the practice of a neonatologist

• Marina V. Kukhartseva
• Anna M. Bobrova
• Irina I. Ryumina
• Marina V. Narogan

Abstract

Objective: to test and improve the oral stimulation technique for developing sucking function during the transition from tube feeding to bottle feeding/breastfeeding in preterm infants of gestational age of 32 weeks or fewer.

Material and methods. The sucking function was assessed in 68 premature newborns born at 26–32 weeks of gestation. In the main group, the sucking reflex was stimulated by the program “The Premature Infant Oral Motor Intervention” (PIOMI), in the control group, newborns were observed under natural conditions of physiological nursing without the use of special techniques.

Results. The age of the first trial bottle feedings and the age of completion of the transition from tube to oral feeding were significantly less in the intervention group (22 vs 32 days and 30 vs 42 days, р<0.001). The shorter period of transition from tube feeding made it possible to start breastfeeding earlier, either. Because of this, 85.3% of children of in the intervention group received native mother’s milk at discharge, compared with 58.8% of the control group.

Conclusion. The use of an oral stimulation method in preterm infants up to 32 weeks of gestation significantly reduces the number of hospitalization days of the children, staff, and funding consuming and improves the organization of medical care in neonatology departments.

Keywords:newborn; premature baby; suckling; feeding tube; developmental care; oral stimulation; enteral nutrition; assessment of the sucking reflex

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