Effect Of Non-nutritive Sucking Research Articles

Effect of Nonnutritive Sucking on Oral Feeding in Neonates With Perinatal Asphyxia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The effect of nonnutritive sucking (NNS) stimulation is unclear in infants with perinatal asphyxia. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of NNS stimulation on oral intake, discharge time, and early feeding skills in infants with perinatal asphyxia. A randomized controlled study was conducted. Of the 94 infants, 47 were included in the experimental group and given NNS stimulation once a day before tube feeding by a speech-language therapist (SLT) in addition to hypothermia treatment. Infants' feeding performances on the days of first oral intake and discharge were evaluated with the Early Feeding Skills Scale (EFS). The time from tube feeding to oral intake was significantly lower in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < .05). EFS scores at discharge were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p < .05). There was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of discharge and weight gain (p > .05). The findings indicated that the NNS stimulation positively affected oral intake and early feeding skills in infants with perinatal asphyxia, as in preterms. However, NNS stimulation had no significant effect on discharge and weight gain in infants with asphyxia. This finding may be attributed to other factors. It is recommended to use NNS by an SLT in a neonatal intensive care unit within a multidisciplinary team to accelerate the transition to oral feeding and improve feeding skills in infants with perinatal asphyxia. Further studies on the effect of NNS stimulation in infants with perinatal asphyxia are needed to corroborate its effects on discharge time and weight gain.

Effect of Non-nutritive Sucking during Heel-stick Procedure in Pain Management of Term Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of non-nutritive sucking for analgesia in term infants undergoing heel-stick procedures. Randomized controlled trials and non-randomized studies based on the PICO framework were included in the study. Review articles, commentary, pilot, and non-English articles were excluded. Databases, such as PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane, were searched until January 31st, 2021, using the keywords "Pain management", 'Non-nutritive sucking", and "Heel stick". All studies were reviewed and retrieved by two authors independently using a standardized form according to the inclusion criteria, and any disagreements were examined by a third scholar. Quality assessment was evaluated by using the ROB-2 tool. Data were analyzed using Stata version 12.0 software, and a random-effects model was used for analysis. A total of 5,629 articles were retrieved from all databases, and after the screening, finally, 6 relevant articles were included in the analysis. The tools used to control pain in infants in the articles included PIPP, NFCS, NIPS, and NPASS. The results showed that the pain scores were significantly lower in the NNS group compared to the control group (MD, -1.05; 95% CI, -1.53 to -0.57) and NNS had a significant effect on oxygen saturation (O2 Sat) increasing in newborns compared to the control group, but no significant reduction in the heart rate (HR) between two groups was observed. NNS effectively provides analgesia in full-term neonates undergoing heel-stick procedures; however, its effects on the long-term outcomes of infants are unclear. The results showed that NNS was effective in improving heel-stick pain in infants.

The effect of non-nutritive sucking combined with oral motor stimulation and oral support on feeding performance in premature infants: A single-blind randomized-clinical trial.

Feeding problems are common in premature infants (PIs) and may lead to negative consequences such as malnutrition, dehydration, excessive weight loss, as well as developmental and psychological deficits. Moreover, they are associated with increased length of hospital stay/cost. There is not enough evidence on how feeding problems should be treated in PIs. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of non-nutritive sucking combined with oral motor stimulation and oral support on feeding performance in PIs. A single-blind randomized clinical trial was performed on 44 PIs with feeding problems. Patients were randomly categorized into two groups: (1) combined intervention (CI) and (2) non-nutritive sucking (NNS). The CI group received NNS, oral motor stimulation and oral support simultaneously. Infants in both groups received 14 treatment sessions for 14 consecutive days. The Preterm Oral Feeding Readiness Assessment Scale (POFRAS) was used as the primary outcome measure. Weight, volume of milk intake, time to achieve full oral feeding, and length of hospital stay were secondary outcome measures. All measures were assessed before treatment, after the 7th session, after the 14th session, and after 7 days after the end of treatment. Both groups improved in all outcome measures across time (P < 0.001). The improvements in the POFRAS, volume of milk intake, and time to achieve full oral feeding were significantly greater in the CI group than the NNS group (P < 0.001). The improvements attained in weight and length of hospital stay were not significantly different between the CI and NNS groups (P > 0.05). Large effect sizes were found for POFRAS score in both CI (d = 3.98) and NNS (d = 2.19) groups. The current study showed that the combined intervention including NNS, oral motor stimulation, and oral support significantly improved the feeding performance in PIs.

The Effect of Non-Nutritive Sucking During Heel Stick Procedure on Pain Management of Preterm Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The Effect of Non-Nutritive Sucking During Heel Stick Procedure on Pain Management of Preterm Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Effect of non nutritive sucking combined with maternal voice stimulation on feeding in premature infants

Objective to explore the effect of non nutritive sucking combined with maternal voice stimulation on feeding process in premature infants. Methods A total of 129 premature infants admitted to the neonatal department of a tertiary hospital from July 2016 to July 2017 were randomly selected. According to the random number table method, there were 3 groups: NNS group, control group (routine nursing group), and NNS+MSS group, each with 43 cases. Non-nutritive sucking was given in the NNS group, general routine treatment and nursing in the control group, and non-nutritive sucking combined with mother's voice stimulation in the NNS+MSS group. The duration of feeding, initial feeding and hospitalization were observed in 3 groups. Results NNS + MSS group feeding transition time, the first feeding duration, hospitalization days three points respectively (8.60 ± 1.24)d, (8.16±1.74)min, (13.26 ± 1.84)d, and NNS group respectively (12.09 ± 2.10) d, (4.72±1.45) min, (14.70±1.79) d, the control group, respectively (17.70±2.30) d (2.28 ± 1.39) min (19.81± 4.17) d. The differences between the three groups were statistically significant (F=242.085, 159.313, 63.856, all P<0.05). Conclusions Non nutritive sucking combined with mother sound stimulation can promote early feeding from nasal feeding to complete transoral feeding as soon as possible, reduce intermediate conversion time, accelerate feeding process and shorten hospitalization time. Key words: Preterm infants; Non nutritive sucking; Mother's voice stimulation

Effect of non-nutritive sucking and sucrose alone and in combination for repeated procedural pain in preterm infants: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundSucrose combined with non-nutritive sucking provided better pain relief than sucrose or non-nutritive sucking alone in a single painful procedure. However, whether the combination of non-nutritive sucking with sucrose could obtain a significant difference in analgesic effect of the repeated procedural pain than any single intervention has not been established. ObjectiveTo compare the effect of non-nutritive sucking and sucrose alone and in combination of repeated procedural pain in preterm infants. DesignRandomized controlled trial. SettingA level III neonatal intensive care unit of a university hospital in China. MethodPreterm infants born before 37 weeks of gestation were randomly assigned to four groups: routine care group (routine comfort through gentle touch when infants cried; n = 21), non-nutritive sucking group (n = 22), sucrose group (0.2 ml/kg of 20%; n = 21), sucrose (0.2 ml/kg of 20%) plus non-nutritive sucking group (n = 22). Each preterm infant received three nonconsecutive routine heel sticks. Each heel stick included three phases: baseline (the last 1 min of the 30 min without stimuli), blood collection, recovery (1 min after blood collection). Three phases of 3 heel stick procedures were videotaped. Premature infant pain profile (PIPP) score, heart rate, oxygen saturation and percentage of crying time were assessed by five independent evaluators who were blinded to the purpose of the study at different phases across three heel sticks. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance, with repeated measures at different evaluation phases of heel stick. Results86 preterm infants completed the protocol. During the blood collection and recovery phases, combination group, had lower PIPP score (4.4 ± 1.5; 3.0 ± 0.8), lower heart rate (138.6 ± 7.9; 137.4 ± 4.7), higher oxygen saturation (95.2 ± 1.6; 96.0 ± 1.2), and smaller percentage of crying time (11.5 ± 8.6; 4.6 ± 3.4), compared with the group has given non-nutritive sucking (9.3 ± 1.3, 6.8 ± 1.4; 154.2 ± 9.0, 148.0 ± 9.3; 92.9 ± 2.4, 94.1 ± 1.0; 44.2 ± 9.6, 31.2 ± 10.5; respectively) or sucrose (10.1 ± 2.0, 7.4 ± 1.6; 151.6 ± 9.6, 147.9 ± 6.9; 93.5 ± 1.7, 94.5 ± 1.2; 53.8 ± 16.7, 35.2 ± 13.9; respectively) or routine care (13.3 ± 1.6, 10.6 ± 1.9; 156.8 ± 7.2, 151.7 ± 7.9; 92.9 ± 2.1, 93.8 ± 1.6; 80.6 ± 7.6, 68.2 ± 9.9; respectively). Both non-nutritive sucking and sucrose were more effective in reducing preterm infants’ PIPP score and percentage of crying time than routine care. There was no difference in PIPP score, heart rate, oxygen saturation and percentage of crying time between the non-nutritive sucking and sucrose groups. ConclusionThe combination of non-nutritive sucking with sucrose provided better pain relief during repeated painful procedures than when non-nutritive sucking or sucrose was used alone. The effect of non-nutritive sucking was similar to that of sucrose on repeated procedural pain.

The Effect of Non-nutritive Sucking by Mothers on Full Oral Feeding Attainment in Preterm Neonates

Objectives: Effective interventions such as non-nutritive sucking (NNS) improve neonatal development. The current study aimed at assessing the effect of NNS intervention by mothers on physiological factors, duration of full oral feeding attainment, and the length of hospital stay. Methods: The current clinical trial was conducted in the neonatal care unit (NICU) of Arash hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. The study was conducted on 2 groups of 38 preterm neonates. Neonates had gestational age of 26 - 34 weeks and received gavage feeding. They did not have assisted ventilation. Control neonates received routine care, whereas the intervention neonates received 3 NNS sessions done by mothers during the first 10 minutes of tube feeding per day. Data collection instrument included a mother-infant demographic form and an observation checklist of infant’s physiological features. The date of full feeding and length of hospitalization were recorded. Results: Findings did not show any statistically significant correlation between groups in physiological features. Duration of full oral feeding attainment in the intervention and control groups were 22 ± 14.51 and 30.05 ± 18.58 days, respectively. The length of hospital stay in the intervention and control groups were 31.26 ± 16.89 and 41.82 ± 23.07 days, respectively. Then, non-nutritive sucking by mother’s finger sped up the duration of full oral feeding attainment and reduced the hospitalization. Conclusions: Since NNS does not require skill and expertise, participation of mother is recommended. Then, infants benefit from not only the positive effects of NNS, but also mother-infant interaction.

PO-0599 Effects Of Non-nutritive Sucking On Gastroesophageal Reflux In Symptomatic Preterm Infants

<h3>Background</h3> The therapeutic management of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in preterm infants still represents a controversial issue among neonatologists. To date, different non-pharmacological strategies, such as body positioning, milk thickening or changes of feeding modalities, have been proposed. However, the effects of non-nutritive sucking (NNS) on GER features, detected by multiple intraluminal impedance (MII), have not yet been evaluated in preterm newborns symptomatic for GER. <h3>Patients and methods</h3> Nineteen preterm newborns (GE ≤ 33 weeks) with GER symptoms underwent a 24-hours pH-MII monitoring. During this period, each infant received eight meals, four followed by NNS, applied by means of pacifier, and four not. Differences in GER features (number of episodes, acidity, duration and height reached) between NNS and non-NNS postprandial periods were evaluated by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. <h3>Results</h3> No significant difference in GER features between NNS and non-NNS periods was found. However, postprandial periods without NNS resulted in a slight increase in the mean duration of acid GER episodes (NNS vs. NON-NNS, median values: 51.15 vs. 88.20 sec, p 0.159). Consequently, during NNS periods the time of esophageal acid exposure was reduced (NNS vs. NON-NNS, median values: 3.54 vs. 6.15%, p 0.171). <h3>Conclusions</h3> According to our results, NNS administration during postprandial periods seems to have no significant effects on GER features in symptomatic preterm infants. However, during NNS periods we observed a slight, though not significant, reduction in the duration of acid GER, which plays a relevant role in the development of GERD. Further larger evaluations are needed to eventually confirm these preliminary data.

Effects of non-nutritive sucking on gastroesophageal reflux in symptomatic preterm infants

Objective: The therapeutic management of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in the preterm population still represents a controversial issue among neonatologists. To date, different non-pharmacological strategies, such as body positioning, milk thickening or changes of feeding modalities, have been proposed; however, little is currently known on the role of non-nutritive sucking (NNS).

대전지역 미취학 어린이의 비수유성 빨기 습관에 대한 조사 연구

이 연구의 목적은 대전지역 미취학 어린이의 비수유성 빨기 습관의 유병률을 조사하고 이 유병률에 영향을 미치는 기여요인과의 관련성을 평가하며 비수유성 빨기 습관이 유치열의 교합에 어떤 영향을 주는지 알아보고자 하는 것이다. 구강검진을 위해 개인치과에 내원한 만 18개월에서 65개월 사이의 어린이 841명을 검사하고 그 보호자를 대상으로 설문조사를 시행하였다. 전체 설문에 대답한 어린이 중 32.8%에서 비수유성 빨기 습관이 있었으며 여아에서 37.7%로 남아보다 유의하게 더 높았다. 모유 수유의 기간이 길어짐에 따라 비수유성 빨기 습관 유병률은 유의한 감소를 보였으며 출생순서와 엄마의 직업유무는 관련성이 없었다. 손가락빨기가 전체 비수유성 빨기 습관 어린이 중 62.6%로 인공젖꼭지빨기(37.4%)에 비해 더 우세하였고 습관의 지속기간 또한 유의하게 길었다. 비수유성 빨기 습관의 지속기간이 길어질수록 유치열 교합이상이 더 많이 관찰되었다. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of non-nutritive sucking in preschool children in Daejeon. This study assessed the relationship between contributing factors influencing the prevalence of non-nutritive sucking. Also, the effects of non-nutritive sucking on the primary dentition were investigated. The study included 841 children 18~65 months of age that visited a pediatric private dental clinic for oral examination. Both children and their guardians were surveyed. It was found that 32.8% of children exhibited non-nutritive sucking, and 37.7% of females displayed this behavior. The number of females showing this behavior was significantly greater than that of males. The prevalence decreased significantly with the breast-feeding period, and there was no association with either birth rank or maternal occupation. Finger sucking (62.6%) was more prevalent and of longer duration than pacifier sucking (37.4%). Malocclusion of the primary dentition was associated with the duration of this behavior.

Effect of non-nutritive sucking combined with massage on digestive function in premature infant

Objective To explore the effect of non-nutritive sucking combined with massage on digestive function in premature infants .Methods Ninety six premature infants from January 2012 to December 2012 were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group , each with 48 cases.The control group received the routine feeding and nursing , and the observation group received the non-nutritive sucking combined with massage on the basis of the control group .The cases of gastric residue , vomiting and abdominal distension, the waiting time of meconium and the time of intestinal nutrition heat up to 418.4 kJ/（kg· d） were compared between two groups .Results The incidence rates of gastric residue , vomiting and abdominal distension were respectively 12.5% （6/48）, 10.4% （5/48） and 8.3% （4/48） in the observation group, which were lower than 31.2%（15/48）, 27.1% （13/48）, 22.9% （11/48） in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant （χ2 =4.94,4.38,3.87, respectively;P〈0.05）.The waiting time of meconium and the time of intestinal nutrition heat up to 418.4 kJ/（kg· d） were respectively （5.6 ±0.7） d, （18.6 ±2.8） d in the observation group, which were shorter than （7.7 ±1.6） d, （21.9 ±2.1） d in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant （t =8.333,6.532, respectively;P〈0.01）. Conclusions The non-nutritive sucking combined with massage can promote the process of digestive function development and maturation in premature infants . Key words: Premature infant; Non-nutritive sucking; Massage; Digestive function

Suckling and non-nutritive sucking habit: what should we know?

Correct breast feeding can be considered a tool for the post-natal prophylaxis of craniofacial abnormalities, or at least a way of reducing their extent.Inadequate bottle feeding forces the tongue and cheek muscles to develop a compensating and atypical function, in order to obtain the milk. As a result, there can be an adaptation change of the dental and bone structures, leading to malocclusions.Finger-sucking is normal in the first two-three years of life. It gives the child a feeling of relaxation; that is why it is usually practiced before sleeping. The effects of non-nutritive sucking on the developing dentition are minor in the child under 3 years of age and are usually limited to changes in the incisor position. Some upper or lower incisors (depend on how the finger has been sucked) become spontaneously tipped toward the lips, and/or others are prevented from erupting. Normally children abandon this habit between 2 and 4 years of age. If it persists after this age, it will be the cause for some dental-maxillary anomalies: open-bite, narrow maxilla with upper protrusion, cross-bite; all these could be accompanied by retrognathic mandible.

The Effect of Non-Nutritive Sucking on Weight Gain and Length of stay in Preterm Infants

Background: Preterm infants frequently experience oral feeding difficulties due to undeveloped oral- motor skills and lack of coordination between sucking, swallowing and breathing. Infants’ ability to orally consume all feedings while maintaining physiological stability and weight gain is necessary for their discharge. Aim: The effect of non-nutritive sucking on weight gain in preterm infants. Methods: A total of 40 preterm infants from the neonatal intensive care unit in Ghaem hospital in Mashhad were divided into experimental and control groups in this quasi-experimental study. The experimental group received non-nutritive sucking by mother before early feeding tube for 10 consecutive days. In the control group, feeding tube is started without sucking intervention. A chart review was then conducted to compare the access time to independent oral feeding and weight gain between the experimental and control groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software using Independent t and Mann Whitney tests. Results: Characteristics of the two groups in terms of age, preterm birth, birth weight and sex were not significantly different. Average weight of non-nutritive sucking and control groups was 1384.2±0.203 and 1246.1±193.9 grams, respectively (p<0.04). However, non-nutritive sucking had no effect on infant weight gain on the seventh, tenth, and fourteenth day of discharge. Non-nutritive sucking decreased significantly the length of stay (p<0.02). Conclusion: Non-nutritive sucking has no significant effect on weight gain. Even non-nutritive sucking may cause infants’ energy expenditure and weight loss.

Effect of non-nutritive sucking and leg massage on physiological and behavioral indicators of pain following heel blood sampling in term neonates

Background: Pain management is especially important for neonates who are not able to verbally express their pain. Non-pharmacological pain management method as an alternative to pharmacological pain medication has increased nowadays. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to test the effect of leg massage and non-nutritive sucking (NNS) on reducing the pain that neonates experience when undergoing the heel stick procedure for blood testing. Methods: This investigation was a random controlled clinical trial study on ninety neonates who were selected randomly among admitted neonates to NICU in Alavi hospital at Ardabil. The subjects were randomly classified in two case and one control groups. The neonates received leg massage (n=30), NNS (n=30), and no intervention (n=30) respectively. Measurements of HR and SaO2 were taken twice: once before and then again after intervention. Pain response was measured by the PIPP scale. Results: The study showed that the HR of the three groups significantly increased after heel stick compared to before heel stick. The change of SaO2 levels in NNS groups was lower than the control and massage groups. The change of PIPP scores in massage and NNS groups was lower than that of the control group; however, there was not statistically significant differences between NNS &amp; massage groups(p=0.91) Conclusion: pain management and pain relief in the infant is an important issue in neonatal health care. It is suggested that the single or combined use of massage and a pacifier is effective in reducing pain responses in neonates undergoing heel stick.

Research commentary

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.

Effects of non-nutritive sucking and oral stimulation on breastfeeding rates for preterm, low birth weight infants: a randomized clinical trial

To determine the influence of non-nutritive sucking and oral stimulation programs on breastfeeding rates at discharge, at 3 and at 6 months of corrected age in preterm infants with very low birth weight. Preterm infants were randomized into experimental and control groups. Ninety-eight preterm infants were randomized and 96 remained in the study until reaching the corrected age of 6 months. The experimental group received sensory-motor-oral stimulation and non-nutritive sucking, while infants in the control group received a sham stimulation program. Both were administered from reaching enteral feeding (100 kcal/kg/day) until the beginning of oral feeding. Fifty-nine infants (61.5%) were breastfeeding at the time of hospital discharge, 31 (36.9%) at 3 months, and only 18 (20.5%) at 6 months of corrected age. At discharge, 46.9% of the control group and 76.5% of the experimental group were breastfeeding. There were statistically significant differences between rates of breastfeeding at discharge (47 vs. 76%), 3 months (18 vs. 47%) and 6 months after discharge (10 vs. 27%). The experimental group showed significantly higher rates of breastfeeding (p < 0.05). Non-nutritive sucking, associated with oral stimulation programs, can contribute to the improvement of breastfeeding rates among preterm infants with very low birth weight.

The Effects of Nonnutritive Sucking and Oral Support on the Feeding Efficiency of Preterm Infants

The purpose of this study is to describe the influence of oral support and nonnutritive sucking (NNS) across time on the feeding efficiency of preterm infants. The study was conducted as a three-group repeated-observation control group design. One hundred fifty-six infants were included in the analysis. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was performed at baseline, immediately after a 1-week intervention, and 7 days postintervention on the formula intake at 5 minutes, length of feeding, bursts, pauses, and pause duration. It was concluded that oral support and NNS are beneficial for preterm infants and that both interventions have immediate and continuing effects on the amount of formula taken in the first 5 minutes of feeding. The effects on sucking pattern characteristics are mixed with continuing effects noted on the number and length of bursts after the use of oral support and NNS but not immediately after the intervention.

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

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.

Effects of non-nutritive sucking on heart rate, respiration and oxygenation: a model-based signal processing approach

Several studies support the idea that the use of pacifiers can reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. To investigate the effect of non-nutritive sucking (NNS), we measured heart rate, abdominal respiration, EMG and arterial oxygen saturation of 20 neonates. Also, in 10 of these neonates, changes in cerebral hemoglobin concentrations were acquired by means of near-infrared spectroscopy. Using a parametric technique to model the heart rate as a sum of exponentially damped sinusoids, two main frequency components were found in the heart rate during NNS: a frequency of approximately 0.08 Hz due to the alternation of sucking bursts and pauses, and a frequency of approximately 0.8 Hz that reflects the influence of the respiration. Our analysis shows that it is the alternation of bursts and pauses itself that causes the increased heart rate variability, and that this is not due to increased effort. This suggests that the neuronal mechanism regulating NNS also stimulates the heart rate. From our measurements, no effect of NNS on cerebral or peripheral oxygenation could be found. Furthermore, we show that our model-based signal processing technique is well suited for the analysis of non-stationary biomedical signals.

Effects of Nonnutritive Sucking On Behavioral Organization And Feeding Performance in Preterm Infants

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of nonnutritive sucking (NNS) on behavioral organization and feeding performance in preterm infants. Thirteen preterm infants were observed at four bottle-feedings, two of which involved treatment with prefeeding NNS. NNS had a positive effect on oxygen saturation and behavior state, as well as on the initiation and duration of the first nutritive suck burst.