Predictors of poor suckling among neonates delivered at 37 weeks and beyond from obstetric perspective: a five-year observational study.

Abstract

Objective: To assess prospectively the predictors of poor suckling among term neonates delivered at 37 weeks and beyond from obstetric perspective. Methods: This five-year observational study was conducted on 326 term neonates who experienced poor suckling compared to a cohort of 9482 term neonates with normal suckling. Predictors of poor suckling were explored by univariate and multivariate analyses. Data was collected and tabulated. Results: Mothers of neonates with poor suckling have significantly higher rates of medical disorders (p<0.001). Maternal hypertensive disorders (OR 2.52 with 95% CI of 0.96-3.38), elective CS before 39 weeks (OR 1.68 with 95% CI of 0.78-3.44), delivery by CS under general anesthesia (OR 1.86 with 95% CI of 0.76-2.32), PROM >18 hours (OR 2.04 with 95% CI of 0.96-4.28), meconium or blood stained amniotic fluid (OR 1.98 with 95% CI of 0.78-2.39), Induction and/or augmentation of labor (OR 2.42 with 95% CI of 0.98-4.66), gestational age <39 weeks (OR 1.54 with 95% CI of 0.66-1.98) and Prolonged labor >24 hours (OR 1.44 with 95% CI of 0.72-1.96) are predictors of poor suckling among term neonates. Conclusion: Term neonates are not immune against poor suckling which could be attributed to maternal medical disorders, intrapartum complications and mode of delivery. Obstetricians and Pediatricians should be aware of these issues.