Impact of a pre-feeding oral stimulation program on first feed attempt in preterm infants: Double-blind controlled clinical trial.

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of an oral stimulation program in preterm on the performance in the first oral feeding, oral feeding skills and transition time from tube to total oral intake.Study designerDouble-blind randomized clinical trial including very preterm newborns. Congenital malformations, intracranial hemorrhage grade III or IV, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and necrotizing enterocolitis were excluded. Intervention group (GI) received an oral stimulation program of tactile extra-, peri-, and intraoral tactile manipulation once a day for 15 minutes, during a 10-day period. Control group (GII) received sham procedure with same duration of time. Feeding ability was assessed by a speech-language pathologist blinded to group assignment. The classification of infants' oral performance was determined by Oral Feeding Skills (OFS). Neonates were monitored until hospital discharge.ResultsSeventy-four (37 in each group) were randomized. Mean gestational ages and birth weights were 30±1.4 and 30±1.5 weeks, and 1,452±330g and 1,457±353g for intervention and control groups, respectively. Infants in the intervention group had significantly better rates than infants in the control group on: mean proficiency (PRO) (41.5%±18.3 vs. 19.9%±11.6 (pConclusionInfants who were breast-fed and an oral stimulation program proved beneficial in reducing transition time from tube feeding to oral feeding.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov number NCT03025815.