Effects of oral stimulation and abdominal massage in premature infants

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of oral stimulation and abdominal massage on the progress and performance of oral feeding and length of hospital stay in premature infants. Methods A total of 80 premature infants were randomly assigned into experimental group, and control group. The infants in the experimental group (n=40) received oral stimulation and abdominal massage in addition to the routine care. The infants of control group (n=40) received routine care of NICU including intermittent feeding, oral support, and postural support, etc.. The corrected gestational ages were compared between two groups when infants of two groups achieved starting oral feeding and full oral feeding. The progress of oral feeding, performance of oral feeding and length of hospitalization were calculated. Results The progress of oral feeding and length of hospitalization were (3.38±1.84)d and (30.25±17.32)d that all were lower than those of control group; the efficacy of feeding, feeding effects and milk volume intake were (6.30±0.94)ml/min, (81.45±21.61)%, (78.97±18.99)%, which were higher than those of control group (t=-6.317, -2.862, 8.543, 2.698, 2.641; P<0.05). Conclusions The oral stimulation combined with abdominal massage is beneficial for the difficulty of oral feeding in premature infants. Key words: Infant, premature; Infant feeding; Oral simulation; Abdominal message