title: Development of a technique for evaluating temporal parameters of sucking in breastfeeding preterm newborns.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the current study was to developed and test the reliability of a technique for measuring temporal parameters of sucking in breastfeeding infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  The technique was developed using a cohort of 11 term and 12 preterm infants, and subsequently evaluated using a cohort of 43 preterm infants. Measurements related to sucking pressure in the term and preterm infants were acquired. The signals were recorded for 5 min, saved on a computer, and stored for analysis. For purposes of analysis, the minute with the highest quality signal was chosen. Signal analysis was performed by two researchers, and inter- and intra-observer agreement was assessed. The newborns in the sample had different gestational ages.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A technique was developed for the analysis of temporal parameters of sucking during breastfeeding and evaluated in 43 preterm infants with different gestational ages for the following variables: number of bursts per minute, number of sucks per burst, sucking rate, pause rate, and duration of pauses. The intra-observer agreement was 0.85 and the inter-observer agreement was 0.85.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The technique that was developed and validated proved capable of measuring temporal parameters of sucking in breastfeeding newborns.
authors: Instituto Fernandes Figueira/Fiocruz, Avenida Rui Barbosa 716, Flamengo-Rio de Janeiro, CEP 22250-020, Brazil. rochachirol@gmail.com
authors: Adriana Duarte
authors: AD
authors: Rocha
authors: Jose Maria de Andrade
authors: JM
authors: Lopes
authors: Jose Roberto Moraes
authors: JR
authors: Ramos
authors: Saint Clair
authors: SC
authors: Gomes
authors: Sabrina
authors: S
authors: Lopes Lucena
authors: Annielle
authors: A
authors: Medeiros
authors: Maria Elisabeth
authors: ME
authors: Lopes Moreira