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Attainment of early feeding milestones in preterm neonates

Journal of Perinatology volume 28, pages 549–555 (2008)Cite this article

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.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the staff at the Grantley Stable Neonatal Unit at the Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital for their support and assistance with this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Discipline of Paediatrics & Child Health, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Qld, Australia

    P Dodrill, G Cleghorn, S McMahon & P S W Davies

  2. Children's Nutrition Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Qld, Australia

    P Dodrill, G Cleghorn & P S W Davies

  3. Division of Neonatology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Qld, Australia

    T Donovan

Authors
  1. P Dodrill
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  2. T Donovan
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  3. G Cleghorn
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  4. S McMahon
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  5. P S W Davies
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to P Dodrill.

Additional information

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.

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Dodrill, P., Donovan, T., Cleghorn, G. et al. Attainment of early feeding milestones in preterm neonates. J Perinatol 28, 549–555 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2008.56

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