Abstract
Objective: To define the acoustic parameters and the feasibility of using swallowing acoustic analysis as an auxiliary method for the transition from nasogastric or orogastric tube feeding to oral breastfeeding. Methodology: A cross-sectional study, which consisted of the following steps: 1. Data collection: Thirty-two newborns participated in this study (16 preterm and 16 full-term); 2. Clinical speech-language pathology evaluation: Clinical data were collected using Sonar Doppler used to assess the readiness of preterm infants to start oral feeding and swallowing sounds. Swallowing sounds were captured during breastfeeding and analyzed according to the frequency, intensity, and time of swallowing, as well as the pause time between swallows and the number of swallows. Results: The control and study groups presented significant differences in the mean wave time and swallowing per minute variables. Conclusion: Sonar Doppler, as an instrument used to capture sounds, is a viable auxiliary resource to evaluate the transition from nasogastric or orogastric tube to oral breastfeeding.
Highlights
The growth and development of preterm or premature infants require specialized care due to anatomic-physiological underdevelopment and difficulties in adapting to extrauterine life (Klock & Akacoque, 2012)
The correlation between the score of the premature infant's readiness assessment instrument and the frequency, intensity, mean wave time, swallows per minute and time between swallows, showed significant results (p = 0.0216) for the intensity variable correlated with the assessment score
The mean parameters found to initiate nasoenteral tube weaning in premature infants were: 786.38 Hz wavelength, 68.38 dB wavelength, 37.87s average wavelength, with an average of 19.13 swallows in one minute and a 9.54s pause between swallows
Summary
The growth and development of preterm or premature infants require specialized care due to anatomic-physiological underdevelopment and difficulties in adapting to extrauterine life (Klock & Akacoque, 2012). The subjectivity of breastfeeding evaluation of premature infants is common practice in the clinical scenario of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit by experienced speech-language pathologists (SLPs). They are used for the evaluation of breastfeeding, as those adapted for premature babies (Melo, 2008; Sanches, 2000). Digital cervical auscultation is a noninvasive method It is painless, without radiation exposure, and it is possible to apply it to the breast (Lagos et al, 2013). Without radiation exposure, and it is possible to apply it to the breast (Lagos et al, 2013) This method adds to the clinical evaluation, converting the muscle activity into auditory and/or visual stimulus
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