Nonnutritive Sucking During Gavage Feeding Enhances Growth and Maturation in Premature Infants

1 January 1983

journal article
research article
Published by American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in Pediatrics

Vol. 71 (1) , 41-45
https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.71.1.41

Abstract

The effects of nonnutritive sucking (NNS) by means of a pacifier during gavage feeding were studied in 30 premature infants whose birth weight was <1,500 g. The addition of NNS accelerated the maturation of the sucking reflex, facilitating a more rapid transition from gavage to oral feedings. Additionally, NNS decreased intestinal transit time and caused a more rapid weight gain despite comparable caloric intake resulting in a shortened hospital stay. Although the physiologic mechanisms resulting from this form of oral stimulation remain to be investigated, our data suggest that NNS may be an important factor to consider in the feeding of premature infants.

Keywords

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit:

Neonatal narcotic abstinence: Effects of pharmacotherapeutic agents and maternal drug usage on nutritive sucking behavior
The Journal of Pediatrics, 1976
Age, food deprivation, nonnutritive sucking, and movement in the human newborn.
Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1967