No long-term effect of oral stimulation on the intra-oral vacuum in healthy premature infants

Diana Skaaning*, Hanne Kronborg, Anne Brødsgaard, Rasmus Solmer, Ole Pryds, Emma Malchau Carlsen

*Corresponding author

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

Abstract

AIM: Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of life, but the breastfeeding rate in premature infants is low. We examined the effect of oral stimulation on infant's strength of suction and the relation between this intra-oral vacuum and breastfeeding duration.

METHOD: Between 2016 and 2018, 211 infants in a Danish neonatal unit were randomised 1:1 and of these 108 to oral stimulation intervention and 103 to control. Suction was measured as peak vacuum at enrolment and a corrected age of 6 weeks. Breastfeeding duration was registered.

RESULTS: Vacuum increased from enrolment to a corrected age of 6 weeks in all infants, and no effect of oral stimulation intervention was demonstrated P = .08. Infants born ≤32 gestational weeks had lower vacuum compared with infants born after, 350 vs 398 mbar P < .001. For infants born after 32 gestational weeks, the odds ratio for exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months was 1.99 per 100 mbar increase in vacuum P = .01.

CONCLUSION: In our study, infant's intra-oral vacuum increased with age and was not affected by the oral stimulation intervention. For infants born after 32 gestational weeks, the exclusive breastfeeding rate was positively associated with a strong vacuum.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftActa Paediatrica
Vol/bind109
Udgave nummer10
Sider (fra-til)2025-2032
Antal sider8
ISSN0803-5253
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 1 okt. 2020
Udgivet eksterntJa

Bibliografisk note

© 2020 Foundation Acta Paediatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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