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A semidemand feeding protocol reduced time to full oral feeding in healthy preterm infants

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebn.5.3.74

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    McCain GC, Gartside PS, Greenberg JM, et al.A feeding protocol for healthy preterm infants that shortens time to oral feeding.J Pediatr2001 Sep;139:374–9OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science

    QUESTION: In healthy preterm infants, is a semidemand feeding protocol more effective than the standard practice of scheduled feedings for reducing the time to attain full oral feeding and maintaining a satisfactory weight gain?

    Design

    Randomised (unclear allocation concealment), unblinded controlled trial with {follow up to attainment of full oral feeding}*.

    Setting

    2 neonatal intensive care units in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

    Participants

    89 preterm infants who were 32 to ≤34 weeks postconceptional age and appropriate for gestational age. Infants with congenital anomalies, gastrointestinal conditions, neurological diagnoses, or grade III/IV intracranial haemorrhage were excluded. 81 infants (91%) completed the study (mean postconceptional age at study entry 32 wks, 53% boys).

    Intervention

    44 infants were allocated to a semidemand feeding protocol. 10 minutes of non-nutritive sucking (NNS) were provided every 3 hours, followed up by an assessment of behavioural state (modified Anderson Behavioral State scale). If the infant was judged to be in a state of …

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    Footnotes

    • Source of funding: National Institutes of Health.

    • For correspondence: Dr G C McCain, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA. gmc2{at}po.cwru.edu