Article

The development of sucking patterns in preterm, small-for-gestational age infants.

Research and Innovation Group in Health Care and Nursing, Hanze University Groningen, University of Applied Sciences, and the Department of Pediatrics, Martini Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
The Journal of pediatrics (impact factor: 4.02). 10/2010; 157(4):603-9, 609.e1-3. DOI:10.1016/j.jpeds.2010.04.037 pp.603-9, 609.e1-3
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT To determine whether the development of sucking patterns in small-for-gestational age (SGA) preterm infants differs from appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) preterm infants.
We assessed sucking patterns in 15 SGA and 34 AGA preterms (gestational age<or=36 weeks) longitudinally from 34 to 50 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) using the Neonatal Oral-Motor Assessment Scale (NOMAS). At each measurement, we scored sucking as normal, dysfunctional, or disorganized. We examined the development of their sucking patterns in relation to clinical characteristics.
SGA preterms developed a normal sucking pattern later than did AGA preterms (median, 50 versus 44 weeks PMA, P=.002). At term-equivalent age, none of the SGA and 38% of the AGA preterms showed normal sucking (P<.05); at 48 to 50 weeks PMA this was 54% and 81%, respectively (P=.064). Abnormal sucking including "incoordination" and dysfunctional sucking were more prevalent in SGA preterms than in AGA preterms (median, 11% versus 0% per infant, P<.05). A higher gestational age and z-score for birth weight were predictive of normal sucking at 50 weeks PMA.
SGA preterms developed a normal sucking pattern later than AGA preterms. Many AGA preterms also developed a normal mature sucking pattern only after they had reached term age.

0 0
 · 
0 Bookmarks
 · 
71 Views
Data provided are for informational purposes only. Although carefully collected, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The impact factor represents a rough estimation of the journal's impact factor and does not reflect the actual current impact factor. Publisher conditions are provided by RoMEO. Differing provisions from the publisher's actual policy or licence agreement may be applicable.

Keywords

34 AGA preterms
 
44 weeks PMA
 
50 weeks PMA
 
50 weeks postmenstrual age
 
AGA preterms
 
appropriate-for-gestational age
 
birth weight
 
clinical characteristics
 
dysfunctional sucking
 
higher gestational age
 
Neonatal Oral-Motor Assessment Scale
 
normal mature sucking pattern
 
normal sucking
 
normal sucking pattern
 
SGA preterms
 
small-for-gestational age
 
sucking
 
sucking patterns
 
term age
 
term-equivalent age