Relationship between integrated sucking pressures and first bottle-feeding scores in premature infants.
Reasons for delays in initiating premature infant bottle-feeding and the complications associated with various methods of providing nutrition to premature infants are discussed. A quantitative, correlational study was undertaken to assess premature infants' readiness to bottle-feed. Thirty premature infants, weighing 1,230 to 2,020 g were studied to determine the relationship between integrated sucking pressures and bottle-feeding scores. Sucking pressures were measured with research nipples and an electronic suckometer. Feeding ability was measured using a complex research scale and a simpler clinical scale. Feeding scales correlated significantly (r = 0.79, p less than 0.001) while sucking pressures and feeding scores did not correlate significantly. Study limitations may have been responsible for the lack of a significant correlation between sucking pressures and feeding scores. Further research is needed to establish simple, quantitative safety parameters for beginning oral feedings for premature infants.
Weaver
K A
KA
College of Nursing, University of Florida in Gainesville.
Anderson
G C
GC
D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D013391:Sucking Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D014059:Tongue / Q000502:physiology