Abstract
To compare the swallowing performance of premature infants using a cup and a bottle during the first offer of food by mouth. This study was carried out with preterm newborns who presented low weight at birth and no neurological illnesses, genetic syndromes or congenital malformations. The newborns were assessed by videofluoroscopy while using a cup and a bottle, when they reached a post-conceptual age of ≥34 weeks, weight ≥ 1,500 g and showed signs of readiness for oral feeding. All children were fed exclusively by gavage during the period prior to the study. This study included 20 preterm newborns, with average birth weight of 1,356 g and gestational age of 31.3 weeks. The majority of the bottle-fed newborns (68%) presented strong and rhythmic suction and 63% showed good sucking/swallowing/breathing coordination. The same percentage of newborns fed by cup (68%) could not perform the sipping movement and only 32% could suck a minimal amount of liquid contrast. There were no signs of laryngeal penetration and tracheal aspiration in both procedures. At the first oral feeding, preterm newborns showed better swallowing performance with a bottle in comparison to using a cup.
Highlights
Prematurity is a growing problem in public health, and it has been a point of concern among several specialists around the world[1]
Scientific and technological advancements have enabled the reduction of mortality and the increase of survival of children who are significantly underweight at birth, but such advancements did not result in a decrease in morbidities during the neonatal period[2]
Premature newborns (NB), who are unable to be breastfed must be fed with a cup, spoon or a dropper, according to recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)[7,11,12]
Summary
Prematurity is a growing problem in public health, and it has been a point of concern among several specialists around the world[1]. Premature newborns (NB), who are unable to be breastfed must be fed with a cup, spoon or a dropper, according to recommendations by the WHO and the BFHI[7,11,12]. The justification behind this is that bottle nipples can confuse a child’s oral response due to the reduction of muscle work necessary for suction and milk release, decreasing the craving to suck on the mother’s breast[12]
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