Abstract
To correlate cardiorespiratory parameters with gestational age and level of oral feeding skills in the first oral feeding in preterm infants. Study participants were 37 clinically stable preterm infants. Cardiorespiratory rate was assessed before and after introduction of oral feeding. The newborns were divided into three strata according to gestational age at birth. Oral skill was classified into four levels: I - low oral skill and low resistance to feeding; II - low oral skill and high resistance to feeding; III - high oral skill and low resistance to feeding; IV - high oral skill and high resistance to feeding. No difference was observed in heart and respiratory rate between the strata of gestational age at birth and between the levels of oral skill. Comparison between pre- and post-cardiorespiratory rates within each level of oral skill and stratum of gestational age showed difference between heart rate in the strata of gestational ages of 30 to 33 weeks and of 34 to 36 weeks, as well as between oral skill of levels I, II, and IV. With regard to the comparison between pre- and post- respiratory rates, difference was found in the oral skill of level I. Differences were observed between pre- and post-prandial cardiorespiratory rates regarding the first oral feeding, as well as between strata of gestational age at birth and levels of oral feeding skills.
Highlights
At birth, the preterm newborn (PTN) presents urgency with respect to nutritional needs similar to or even greater than that expected for a fetus with the same gestational age (GA)
Of the 37 PTNs investigated, 56.8% were female with weight at birth of 1658 (±505) grams and GA of 33 (±2.0) weeks
The preterm infants were released for Oral feeding (OF) with approximately 34 weeks, except those born with GA between 34 and 36 weeks (p
Summary
The preterm newborn (PTN) presents urgency with respect to nutritional needs similar to or even greater than that expected for a fetus with the same gestational age (GA). The nutritional needs of this infant are not fully established and change according to gestational age and clinical condition. Considering these difficulties, the effort to reach growth development, as it occurs in the uterus, is a difficult task to accomplish[1]. Oral feeding (OF) can be initiated when the PTN presents corrected gestational age (CGA) of approximately 34 weeks, a time when the infant begins to acquire efficient coordination between the functions of sucking, swallowing, and breathing (S/S/B)(6-8), more recent studies report that it is already possible to observe coordination between these functions as of the 32nd week of CGA[9]. CGA is important in the decision for oral feeding readiness[10], it should not be considered a determining factor[11]
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