The Effect of Nonnutritive Sucking on the Time Needed for Achievement of Full Oral Feeding in Preterm Infants

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of nonnutritive sucking on the time needed for achievement of independent oral feeding and weight gaining in 26-32 week gestational ages preterm infants in kamali NICU hospital. Materials & Methods: Randomized clinical trial design was used. The population of study was 22 preterm infant with 26-32 weeks gestational ages, that were admitted in kamali's NICU. After choosing infants based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, the researcher divided them into two groups (control and nonnutritive sucking program) randomly. The researcher implemented this program in 10 consecutive days for each infant during first 5 minutes of gavage feeding (3 times in a day) in experimental group. Infants in control group did not receive any stimulation except routine nursing care. The testers were investigated for gestational age during various oral feeding times and discharge time from NICU and also their weight measured during first, second week after birth and discharge time from NICU and then the results of two groups, were compared. Results: In nonnutritive sucking group, mean of gestational age at discharge times, was 33.97 +/- 0.69 weeks (mean +/- SD) and in control group was 34.32 +/- 1.33 weeks, which is not statistically significant (P=0.4). In NNS group Average weight at discharge time was 1654.54 +/- 133.29 grams and in control group was a 1472.72 +/- 94.34 gram. In NNS group, weight at discharge from NICU was significantly more than the control group (P=0.001). Conclusion: Use of NNS, significantly increased weight gain. Although there was no statistically significant effect on oral feeding criterion, but clinically improved oral feeding in preterm infants and decreased hospitalization time in NICU, were seen.