Original Article
Journal of Perinatology (2006) 26, 693–699. doi:10.1038/sj.jp.7211590; published online 21 September 2006
Predictors of nutritive sucking in preterm infants
R H Pickler1, A M Best1, B A Reyna2, G Gutcher1 and P A Wetzel1
- 1School of Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- 2Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond, VA, USA
Correspondence: Dr RH Pickler, School of Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University, 730 E. Broad Street Box 980567, Richmond, VA 23219, USA. E-mail: rpickler@vcu.edu
Received 20 April 2006; Revised 3 July 2006; Accepted 26 July 2006; Published online 21 September 2006.
Abstract
Objective:
The purposes of this analysis were to determine how select characteristics of nutritive sucking (number of sucks, sucks/burst, and sucks/minute) change over time and to examine the effect of select factors (morbidity, maturity, prefeeding behavior state, and feeding experience) on those changes.
Study design:
A longitudinal, non-experimental study was conducted in a Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit using a convenience sample of 88 preterm infants. Statistical analyses were performed using a repeated-measures mixed-model in SAS.
Results:
Sucking activity (number of sucks, sucks/burst, and sucks/minute) was predicted by morbidity, maturity, feeding experience and prefeeding behavior state. Experience at oral feeding had the greatest effect on changes in the number of sucks, suck/burst and sucks/minute.
Conclusion:
Experience at feeding may result in more rapid maturation of sucking characteristics.
Keywords:
infant feeding, prematurity, experience
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