Nonnutritive sucking in high-risk infants: benign intervention or legitimate therapy?

Abstract

To review the available research evidence on the effects of nonnutritive sucking (NNS) in high-risk full-term and preterm infants in neonatal nurseries. Electronic searches of MEDLINE (1976-2001) and CINAHL (1982-2001) databases, as well as the Cochrane Library. Reference lists of all relevant articles were also reviewed. Experimental and quasi-experimental studies that included hospitalized full-term and preterm infants, where NNS by pacifier was compared to no pacifier. Results of studies were reviewed by two of the authors. As an intervention to promote behavioral outcomes and gastrointestinal function or feeding, there is little evidence to support the use of NNS in preterm and high-risk full-term infants. NNS has been linked to reduced length of hospital stay and improved pain management. Although harmful effects have not been specifically studied, NNS in preterm and high-risk full-term infants does not appear to have any short-term negative effects. No long-term data on the effects of NNS in high-risk full-term and preterm infants are presently available. Based on the results of this review, it would seem reasonable for nurses to utilize pacifiers for pain management in high-risk full-term and preterm infants.