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Comparison of sucking patterns at introduction of oral feeding and at term in Israeli and American preterm infants
Author(s) -
Bromiker Ruben,
Arad Ilan,
Loughran Bernardette,
Netzer Dvorah,
Kaplan Michael,
MedoffCooper Barbara
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2005.tb01891.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pediatrics , gestational age , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Background: It has been hypothesized that early initiation of oral feeding in premature infants may enhance the maturation of sucking patterns. Aim: To compare preterm infant sucking characteristics in urban level III neonatal care units in the USA and Israel. The two hospitals have different practices regarding the introduction of oral feeding. Methods: Infants were assessed at 34–35 wk postconceptional age (PCA) and at term. Sucking parameters were assessed with the Kron's Nutritive Sucking Apparatus. Results: 70 infants (38 Americans and 32 Israelis) participated in the study. Oral feedings were initiated earlier (32.6±4.3 vs 34.5±1.8 wk PCA, p <0.01) and full oral feedings were reached earlier (35.4±2.8 vs 36.5±2.5 wk PCA, p <0.05) in the USA infants. American preterm infants produced significantly more sucks ( p <0.001), had a higher suck rate ( p <0.001), more sucks per burst ( p <0.05), and a shorter interburst width ( p <0.01) at 34 wk PCA than Israeli infants. At term, American infants produced significant more sucks ( p <0.001), higher suck rate ( p <0.001), shorter intersuck width ( p <0.001), and a shorter interburst width ( p <0.05) than the Israeli infants of the same PCA. Conclusion: Different practices in the care of preterm infants, such as postconceptional age at introduction of oral feeding, may play a role in the development of feeding and feeding organization at term.