Roberta Pineda1,2, Kelsey Dewey1, Amy Jacobsen1, Joan Smith3. 1. Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri. 3. Department of Quality, Safety, and Practice Excellence, St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify the progression of non-nutritive sucking (NNS) across postmenstrual age (PMA) and to investigate the relationship of NNS with medical and social factors and oral feeding. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty preterm infants born at ≤32 weeks gestation had NNS assessed weekly starting at 32 weeks PMA with the NTrainer System. Oral feeding was assessed at 38 weeks PMA. RESULTS: There were increases in NNS bursts per minute (p = 0.005), NNS per minute (p < 0.0001), NNS per burst (p < 0.001), and peak pressure (p = 0.0003) with advancing PMA. Level of immaturity and medical complications were related to NNS measures (p < 0.05). NNS measures were not related to Neonatal Oral Motor Assessment Scale scores. Smaller weekly change in NNS peak pressure (p = 0.03; β = -1.4) was related to feeding success at 38 weeks PMA. CONCLUSION: Infants demonstrated NNS early in gestation. Variability in NNS scores could reflect medical complications and immaturity. More stable sucking pressure across time was related to feeding success at 38 weeks PMA. Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To identify the progression of non-nutritive sucking (NNS) across postmenstrual age (PMA) and to investigate the relationship of NNS with medical and social factors and oral feeding. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty preterm infants born at ≤32 weeks gestation had NNS assessed weekly starting at 32 weeks PMA with the NTrainer System. Oral feeding was assessed at 38 weeks PMA. RESULTS: There were increases in NNS bursts per minute (p = 0.005), NNS per minute (p < 0.0001), NNS per burst (p < 0.001), and peak pressure (p = 0.0003) with advancing PMA. Level of immaturity and medical complications were related to NNS measures (p < 0.05). NNS measures were not related to Neonatal Oral Motor Assessment Scale scores. Smaller weekly change in NNS peak pressure (p = 0.03; β = -1.4) was related to feeding success at 38 weeks PMA. CONCLUSION:Infants demonstrated NNS early in gestation. Variability in NNS scores could reflect medical complications and immaturity. More stable sucking pressure across time was related to feeding success at 38 weeks PMA. Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.
Authors: Emily Zimmerman; Deborah J Watkins; Gredia Huerta-Montanez; Zaira Rosario Pabon; Zlatan Feric; Justin Manjourides; Carmen M Velez-Vega; Abigail Figueroa; Morgan Hines; Alaina Martens; José Cordero; Akram Alshwabekah; John D Meeker Journal: Environ Int Date: 2021-03-16 Impact factor: 9.621