title: The Effects of Non-Nutritive Sucking and Pre-Feeding Oral Stimulation on Time to Achieve Independent Oral Feeding for Preterm Infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The survival rates of preterm infants has increased over the last years, but oral feeding difficulties are the most common problems encountered by them.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed at comparing the effects of non-nutritive sucking (NNS) and pre-feeding oral stimulation on feeding skills, length of hospital stay and weight gain of 26-32 weeks gestational age preterm infants in NICU, to determine the more effective intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two preterm infants were assigned randomly into three groups. One intervention group received pre-feeding oral stimulation program and the other received non-nutritive sucking stimulation, while the control group received a sham intervention. Gestational age of infants was calculated during 1, 4 and 8 oral feeding and discharge time from NICU. The infants' weights were measured weekly from birth and at discharge time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean gestational age on 8 time oral feeding per day, in 3 groups was not significant (P = 0.282). Although NNS and pre-feeding oral stimulation groups has fulfilled this criterion 7.55 and 6.07 days sooner than the control group, respectively (a result which is of great clinical and economic importance), but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Weight gaining at discharge time in NNS group was significantly higher than control and pre-feeding oral stimulation groups (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study revealed that pre-feeding oral stimulation and NNS programs both were effective on oral feeding skills and weight gaining of the immature newborns. Yet, it seems that NNS program was more effective than pre-feeding oral stimulation on weight gaining.
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech Therapy, Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Faezeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Asadollahpour
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech Therapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Fariba
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yadegari
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Farin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Soleimani
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Department, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Nasrin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khalesi
keywords: Infant, Premature; Length of Stay; Weights