title: Preliminary findings: a maximum oral feeding time for premature infants, the relationship to physiological indicators.
abstract: Oxygen saturation (SaO2) values, pulse rate and respiratory rate (RR) were monitored using a pulse oximeter during feeding sessions for 21 preterm infants (mean postconceptual age 35.61 weeks) at 3-minute intervals. The purpose of the study was to determine if there is a maximum stressful nippling time span within the context of the prescribed amounts of formula taken and to determine and verify the relationship between: (a) nipple feeding and clinical stress reactions to these variables, (b) the amount of formula taken in the first 3 minutes and (SaO2) values, PR, and RR; and (c) the birthweight of the infant and the length of time from birth to the initial nipple feed. Although the repeated analysis of variance failed to show a significant change (p > .05) from baseline in SaO2, PR, and RR, correlational analysis showed a significant relationship between the amount of formula taken in the first 3 minutes of feeding and the respiratory rate (r = .69, p = .001). Since no significant declines were detected across time in the physiological measures, a maximum stressful nippling time was not established from these data. As expected, a significant relationship between birthweight and the length of time from birth to the initial nipple feed was revealed (p < .05).
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010092:Oximetry; D010108:Oxyhemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D012119:Respiration; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D010108:Oxyhemoglobins