Factors affecting early feeding performance in preterm infants below 32 weeks gestation

Abstract

Objective: To identify the influence of various physiological and behavioral factors on feeding performance of preterm infants in the transition to full oral feeding. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from a feeding assessment conducted on 24 preterm infants born at 25-31 weeks without severe brain complications. Results: Prolonged oxygen use and low current weight are two adverse factors for feeding efficiency (volume of milk ingested orally per minute in the initial 5 min of feeding) and proficiency (percentage of prescribed volume ingested orally over the entire feeding). Young post-menstrual age, low baseline oxygen saturation and high feeding efficiency were risk factors for oxygen desaturation during the initial feeding. Conclusion: Proper feeding strategies are needed for preterm infants with those disadvantageous factors to improve their early feeding performance. © The Author [2011]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.