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Cue-based oral feeding clinical pathway results in earlier attainment of full oral feeding in premature infants

Journal of Perinatology volume 27, pages 572–578 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To study whether a cue-based clinical pathway for oral feeding initiation and advancement of premature infants would result in earlier achievement of full oral feeding.

Study Design:

Age of achievement of full oral intake was compared for two groups of preterm infants; a prospective study group vs historic cohort controls. Study infants had oral feedings managed by nurses using a clinical pathway that relied on infant behavioral readiness signs to initiate and advance oral feedings. Controls had oral feedings managed by physician orders.

Result:

Fifty-one infants (n=28 study and n=23 control) were studied. Gender distribution, gestational age, birth weight and ventilator days were not different between groups. Study infants reached full oral feedings 6 days earlier than controls (36±1 3/7 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA) vs 36 6/7±1 4/7 weeks of PMA, P=0.02).

Conclusion:

The cue-based clinical pathway for oral feeding initiation and advancement of premature infants resulted in earlier achievement of full oral feeding.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the University of Utah Newborn Intensive Care Unit nurses, nurse practitioners and occupational therapists for their important contributions to this research. We also acknowledge the work of Leanne Seckinger, Vickie Brunstetter, and Carol Henderson on the development and implementation of the clinical pathway. This work was supported, in part, by The Children's Health Research Center.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    A T Kirk & J D King

  2. Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    S C Alder

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  1. A T Kirk
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  2. S C Alder
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  3. J D King
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Correspondence to A T Kirk.

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Kirk, A., Alder, S. & King, J. Cue-based oral feeding clinical pathway results in earlier attainment of full oral feeding in premature infants. J Perinatol 27, 572–578 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211791

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