Standardization of sucking patterns during breastfeeding in healthy term neonates: A cross-sectional study

Abstract:

Background: Breathing and swallowing stand as two pivotal processes essential for the survival of infants. the efficacy of these actions is contingent upon safeguarding the respiratory tract, necessitating a heightened level of coordination. following birth, the suckling pattern of infants exhibits a lesser degree of maturity, evolving as they age. nutritive disorders like sucking and swallowing problems are common in infants. The necessity for a clinical tool to assess these issues has never been more evident. this study aims to evaluate sucking patterns and standardize them in healthy neonates.
Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 223 neonates breastfeeding in the Maternity Ward of Shahid Sayyad Shirazi Hospital, Gorgan, Iran, from April to September 2021 was conducted. Neonatal swallowing skills (maximum sucking pressure and number of sucking actions) were assessed using a swallowing skill assessment device. The 95% confidence interval for maximal sucking pressure and the number of sucking actions within a normal distribution were estimated.
Results: Out of 223 infants, 112 (50.2%) were female, 176 (74.9%) were delivered via cesarean section, and their mean birth weight was 3154.48 ± 371.48 grams. The maximum sucking pressure was –6.82, with a 95% confidence interval of (–13.21, –3.52) in infants. The mean number of sucking actions within a 15-second interval was 6.74, with a 95% confidence interval of (2.23, 20.37).
Conclusion: Regarding this data and the high prevalence of sucking disorders in preterm infants worldwide, we can employ this information in conjunction with an oral-motor skill assessment tool to evaluate infant sucking patterns in hospitals, clinics, and during home visits.

Keywords: : Breastfeeding, infant, newborn, standardization

Audience Take Away

• This article introduces a novel portable tool and provides statistical information within the normal range for the specialized assessment of sucking skills in infants
• In fact,  by using this information, researchers can expertly evaluate the sucking skills of babies and use them in their studies, evaluations, and treatment process

Biography:

In 2016, Payam graduated from Babol University of Medical Sciences with a bachelor's degree in speech therapy field and after that he entered the master's degree. Then in 2019, he graduated from the senior level and during this time I worked in more than four hospitals and private clinic. During these years, he was active in two specialized start-ups in the field of design, invention and production of oral Motor tools in Iran and Turkey. So far, he had more than five inventions, the most important of which is the device for assessing the nutritional status of babies(which name is Smart Infant Sucking Tester). he was also elected as the president of the Iranian Speech Therapy Scientific Association in 2022 (the youngest president in the history of the Iranian Association). Now he is planning to launch a specialized start-up in the field of breastfeeding and oral motor disorders in sultanate of Oman.