Division of Neonatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
Acta Paediatr. 2019 Feb;108(2):239-244. doi: 10.1111/apa.14478. Epub 2018 Jul 20.
This study described the steps needed to achieve full oral feeding before discharge in a group of very and extremely preterm (EPT) infants. We analysed the effects of oral feeding skills on discharge timing and on weight gain during their neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay.
A prospective cross-sectional observational study of 100 infants who were <32 weeks of gestation (GA) was conducted at the Division of Neonatology, Graz, Austria, from March 2014 to February 2015. Patients were stratified into two groups: those who were <28 weeks at birth and those who were 28 weeks and over. Velocity of oral feeding skills attainment and weight gain were analysed.
All infants successfully acquired oral feeding skills during hospitalisation. The median GA at which full oral feeding skills were reached was 37 + 1 weeks in EPT and 34 + 5 weeks in very preterm infants. More immature neonates showed worse feeding performances and lower weight increments during oral feeding steps.
Our study confirmed the role of GA in the development of oral feeding skills in the most premature babies. It also raises the question of whether expected daily weight gain should be targeted according to GA.
本研究描述了一组极早产（EPT）婴儿在出院前实现完全经口喂养所需的步骤。我们分析了口腔喂养技能对出院时间和新生儿重症监护病房（NICU）期间体重增加的影响。
2014 年 3 月至 2015 年 2 月，奥地利格拉茨新生儿科进行了一项前瞻性横断面观察研究，纳入了 100 名胎龄<32 周的婴儿。患者分为两组：出生时<28 周和 28 周及以上。分析了获得口腔喂养技能的速度和体重增加情况。
所有婴儿在住院期间均成功获得经口喂养技能。EPT 婴儿完全获得经口喂养技能的中位胎龄为 37+1 周，极早产儿为 34+5 周。不成熟的新生儿在经口喂养步骤中表现出较差的喂养能力和较低的体重增加。
本研究证实了 GA 在最早产儿口腔喂养技能发展中的作用。这也引发了一个问题，即是否应根据 GA 来设定每日预期体重增加目标。
