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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #62325
Title: DEVELOPMENT OF SUCKING BEHAVIOR AS A FUNCTION OF PRETERM INFANT'S MATURITY

Author
item LAU, CHANTAL - BAYLOR COLL OF MEDICINE
item SHEENA, HELEN - BAYLOR COLL OF MEDICINE
item SCHANLER, RICHARD - BAYLOR COLL OF MEDICINE

Submitted to: Pediatric Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: An Interpretive Summary is not needed for this document.

Technical Abstract: This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that the maturation of sucking behavior, which influences the rate at which preterm infants reach independent oral feeding, is related to postmenstrual age. Infants born at 26-29 wk(n=13), 30-33 wk(n=10), and 38-42 wk(n=6) gestation were followed from their first oral feeding (FPO) to independent oral feeding (IOF). The following parameters were monitored: proficiency (P), %volume taken during the first 5 min of a feeding (when fatigue is assumed negligible) over total volume to be taken, overall transfer (OT), %volume taken during a feeding over total volume ordered, and efficiency (ml/min). Both groups of preterm infants were introduced to FPO at similar postmenstrual ages (34+/-2 wk). But, IOF was achieved 1 wk earlier in 30-33 wk vs 26-29 wk infants (P lesser than 0.05). At FPO, OT and P were greater in 30-33 wk vs 26-29 wk infants (P lesser than or equal to 0.01). From FPO to IOF, P was unchanged in both groups but OT and efficiency increased (P=0.05) only in 26-29 wk infants. The same parameters in 38-42 wk infants did not change from 1 to 4 wk, but were greater than those of preterm infants at IOF (P lesser than 0.05). Because P was unchanged from FPO to IOF, the sucking abilities of both preterm groups were as advanced at FPO as at IOF, but in 26-29 wk infants, other factors (eg., fatigue) may be critical in determining performance at FPO. It is concluded that, although maturation ex utero occurs, it is not equivalent to that in utero. Namely, the same degree of sucking maturation can be achieved by both groups of infants, but those born more mature reach this goal at a faster rate. Performance factors (eg., training, decreased fatigue) may be helpful in accelerating the progression to IOF in 26-29 wk infants.