Original Article
Journal of Perinatology (2008) 28, 549–555; doi:10.1038/jp.2008.56; published online 26 June 2008
Attainment of early feeding milestones in preterm neonates
Note: The work performed by Dodrill on this article fulfilled part of the requirements of her PhD, conducted through the Discipline of Paediatrics & Child Health, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Qld, Australia.
P Dodrill1,2, T Donovan3, G Cleghorn1,2, S McMahon1 and P S W Davies1,2
- 1Discipline of Paediatrics & Child Health, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Qld, Australia
- 2Children's Nutrition Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Qld, Australia
- 3Division of Neonatology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Qld, Australia
Correspondence: Dr P Dodrill, Children's Nutrition Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Royal Children's Hospital, Herston Rd, Herston 4029, Brisbane, Qld, Australia. E-mail: p.dodrill@uq.edu.au
Received 26 July 2007; Revised 23 April 2008; Accepted 28 April 2008; Published online 26 June 2008.
Abstract
Objective:
This study aimed to document the ages at which preterm neonates commence suckle-feeds and attain exclusive suckle-feeding, as well as the time taken to transition from commencement of suckle-feeds to exclusive suckle-feeding. It was hypothesized that gestational age (GA) at birth and degree of neonatal morbidity would influence the timing of these early feeding milestones.
Study Design:
A chart review was conducted for all neonates born <37;0 weeks GA admitted to a tertiary level perinatal facility over a 12-month period (n=735). Complete data relating to attainment of feeding milestones were available on 472 neonates.
Results:
Correlation analysis indicated that both a low GA at birth and a high neonatal morbidity rating were statistically significantly correlated with an increased transition time from commencement of suckle-feeds to exclusive suckle-feeding. Cox regression indicated that both of these variables were statistically significant risk factors for a delayed GA at attainment of exclusive suckle-feeding.
Conclusion:
Preterm neonates who were less mature at birth and/or who displayed a greater degree of neonatal morbidity took longer to transition from starting suckle-feeds to achieving independent suckle-feeding, and were more mature at attainment of independent suckle-feeding.
Keywords:
preterm, infant feeding, suckling
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