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Predictors of nutritive sucking in preterm infants

Journal of Perinatology volume 26, pages 693–699 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

The purposes of this analysis were to determine how select characteristics of nutritive sucking (number of sucks, sucks/burst, and sucks/minute) change over time and to examine the effect of select factors (morbidity, maturity, prefeeding behavior state, and feeding experience) on those changes.

Study design:

A longitudinal, non-experimental study was conducted in a Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit using a convenience sample of 88 preterm infants. Statistical analyses were performed using a repeated-measures mixed-model in SAS.

Results:

Sucking activity (number of sucks, sucks/burst, and sucks/minute) was predicted by morbidity, maturity, feeding experience and prefeeding behavior state. Experience at oral feeding had the greatest effect on changes in the number of sucks, suck/burst and sucks/minute.

Conclusion:

Experience at feeding may result in more rapid maturation of sucking characteristics.

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Acknowledgements

Financial Support: Funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, R01 NR005182.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

    R H Pickler, A M Best, G Gutcher & P A Wetzel

  2. Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond, VA, USA

    B A Reyna

Authors
  1. R H Pickler
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  2. A M Best
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  3. B A Reyna
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  4. G Gutcher
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  5. P A Wetzel
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Correspondence to R H Pickler.

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Pickler, R., Best, A., Reyna, B. et al. Predictors of nutritive sucking in preterm infants. J Perinatol 26, 693–699 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211590

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