Effect of Prefeeding Oromotor Stimulation on Oral Feeding Performance of Preterm Neonates during Hospitalization and at Corrected One Month of Age at a Tertiary Neonatal Care Unit of India: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

AimTo evaluate the effect of prefeeding oromotor stimulation on preterm infants’ feeding performance during hospitalization and in early infancy.MethodsTwenty nine preterm neonates born between 26 and 32 weeks of gestation were randomized to receive either 5 minutes of prefeeding oromotor stimulation or routine care.ResultsImprovement in mean (SD) scores of feeding performance measured by various standardized scales were higher in the study group ( p <.001). There were a higher number of preterms of the intervention group on mothers’ milk at discharge and at corrected one month of age. They achieved independent oral feeding at significantly lower body weight ( p <.001) and had a shorter duration of hospitalization ( p <.05). No significant difference was found in the weight gain rate of preterm infants during hospitalization and at corrected one month of age.ConclusionPrefeeding oromotor stimulation improves feeding performance and shortens hospital stay in preterm neonates and improves the breastfeeding rate at their corrected one month of age.