The Effect of two Methods of Oral Massage and Nonnutritive Sucking on Independent Oral Feeding Performance in Preterm Infants Hospitalize in NICU of Tabriz Al-Zahra Hospital

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: The survival of preterm infants has greatly increased during last 20 years. Feeding difficulties normally occur in preterm infants. The infants born before 34 weeks gestational age commonly have an immature or absent coordination of the suck- swallow- breathe pattern, with the potential to lead to feeding difficulties. Breast feeding of premature infants presents a challenge to neonatal nurses who are trying to prepare the infants for infants for eventual discharge from the hospital. In order to improve to improve efficacy of oral feeding of preterm infants, effective sensory and oral motor intervention are needed. The purpose of current study is to compare two met hoods of oral massage and non-nutritive sucking (NNS) on independent oral feeding in preterm infants hospitalized in NICU. Method: This is a one blinded randomized clinical trial. Research population includes; 72 preterm infants of (28-32 weeks GA) hospitalized in NICU of Al-Zahra Hospital. Newborns physiologic stability was confirmed by neonatologist, , that had no serious, physiologic stability was confirmed by neonatologist, they had no serious heart and lung disease and no congenital abnormalities, especially in the jaw, mouth and palate , not be NPO and receiving full tube feeding. Elected infants were randomly alldomly allocated into the one of following three groups; oral massage, NNS and group by using, computerized random number table with block 4 and 6 fold. Newborns in oral massage group received pri and intraoral massages, twice per day, each time for 10 minutes before gavages (at least for 10 consecutive days). Newborns in NNS group received sucking of researcher or mothers third for 4 time a day, each time 5 minutes before gavages (at least for 10 consecutive days). Newborns in control group received routine care. After 10 days, under supervision of neonatologist started oral feeding and number of oral feeding was administered. All date corresponding to newborns behavioral status, their ability to maintain physiologic stability, daily number of oral feeding and independent oral feeding duration, duration of hospitalization, and duration of attaining to independent oral feeding, was assessed by co-investigator do not know to which group a subject is assigned. Criteria of independent oral feeding is 8 time a day oral feeding, statistical analysis of data was processed by using SPSS. Descriptive and inferential statistical method such as Variance analysis was employed to compare 3 groups. Results: independent oral feeding was attained significantly earlier the oral massage group, NNS group than the control group (P <0/001) there was no statistically significant difference in time of attaining to independent oral feeding between two interventional group (P<0/915) duration and frequency of independent oral feeding was statistically significant for two groups massage and NNS versus control group either 5 days were (P<0/005) and (P<0/0001) respectively. Variations in number of independent oral feeding within 5 days in 3 groups were of statistically significance (P<0/0001) there was no statistically significant difference on other parameters. Conclusion: two methods of non-nutritive sucking and oral massage could duration of achieving independent oral feeding in premature infants ne shorter than control group but there is no preference in between two methods. Certainly oral massage and non-nutritive sucking can increase both the number and duration of independent oral feedings preterm infants. But there interventions have no effect on duration of hospitalization and do not improve newborns physiological and behavioral status of during independent oral feeding