Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective: this study aimed at investigating the Schedule Oral Motor Assessment (SOMA) tool to be used with preterm infants and to compare its results with the Preterm Oral Feeding Readiness Assessment Scale (POFRAS) to start oral feeding. Methods: a cross-sectional and quantitative study, consisting in a sample of 45 healthy and clinically stable preterm infants, assessed at their first oral feeding with two tools: the Schedule Oral Motor Assessment and Preterm Oral Feeding Readiness Assessment Scale. Stata 10.0 software was used for data analysis. Results: 10 preterm infants with readiness for oral feeding showed normal oral motor function, and 16, presented with oral motor dysfunction, did not show readiness for feeding (p <0.05). The time of transition for full oral feeding was 13.5 (± 8.1) days for preterm infants with better results in both assessment tools, and 17.7 (± 10.9) days for those who did not show readiness for oral feeding and had oral motor dysfunction to initiate oral feeding, resulting in a given clinical relevance, even showing no significance (p> 0.05). Conclusion: these results suggest that the Schedule Oral Motor Assessment can be an adjunctive method for evaluation of the oral motor function at the first oral feeding in preterm infants.
Highlights
The preterm newborn infant presents a critical health situation during the neonatal period, and might present several intercurrences
Conclusion: these results suggest that the Schedule Oral Motor Assessment can be an adjunctive method for evaluation of the oral motor function at the first oral feeding in preterm infants
Weight and clinical stability are the parameters most frequently used by the medical team in order for the preterm newborn to start feeding via the oral route
Summary
The preterm newborn infant presents a critical health situation during the neonatal period, and might present several intercurrences. In order to benefit the nutritional necessities of the preterm newborn infant, feeding is provided, initially, trough feeding tubes, yet after being released to begin feeding through the oral route, the prolonged use of tubes can interfere with the baby’s oral skills[3]. Factors such as the preterm newborns’ corrected gestational age[4], clinical condition, behavioural state[5], weight, as well as organs and systems adequacy[6] influence on adequate skill in the beginning of feeding via the oral route. Even though the criterion of gestational age is argued for the release to initiate the oral route[3], this isolated factor alone should not be determinant for the beginning of feeding via the oral route, since literature indicates coordination among the functions in preterm newborns with 32 weeks of corrected gestational age[8]
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