Very preterm infants - born before 32 weeks' gestational age - commonly experience delayed transition to oral feeding due to immature suck-swallow-breathe coordination. This prospective pilot study have two aims: (1) to assess the feasibility of cot-side non-nutritive sucking assessment (suckometry) from the first postnatal days in very preterm infants; and (2) to characterise early sucking performances before and after routine implementation of a structured oral stimulation protocol. Very preterm infants - born before 33 weeks gestational age - enrolled in a single-centre level III neonatal unit. Sucking performance measured weekly using a novel bedside suckometer from the first postnatal week until full oral feeding autonomy. Clinical outcomes and sucking parameters compared between non-stimulated (NOSTIM) and stimulated (STIM) groups.
The structured oral stimulation protocol was developed with reference to the Fucile protocol (Fucile et al., 2002) and the Premature Infant Oral Motor Intervention (PIOMI; Lessen et al., 2015). It involved gentle perioral stimulation using a gloved finger, progressing from the ear to the labial commissure. Responsive infants received escalating stimulation of the lips and intraoral structures (gums, palate, tongue). Sessions delivered 2-4 times daily by trained nurses during routine care, initiated within the first three postnatal days and continued until the introduction of oral feeding. The suckometer (ICube Laboratory, UMR7357 Centre National Recherche Scientifique, Strasbourg) comprises a silicone teat connected to dual micro-pressure sensors quantifying suction (negative) and compression (positive) pressures in real time. Quantitative parameters include sucking peak frequency, compression peak frequency, and burst frequency.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
17
Bedside non-nutritive suckometer comprising a silicone teat connected to dual micro-pressure sensors. Quantifies suction (negative) and compression (positive) pressures in real time. Measurements performed weekly from the first postnatal week until full oral feeding autonomy in all participants.
The structured oral stimulation protocol was developed with reference to the Fucile protocol (Fucile et al., 2002) and the Premature Infant Oral Motor Intervention (PIOMI; Lessen et al., 2015). It involved gentle perioral stimulation using a gloved finger, progressing from the ear to the labial commissure. Responsive infants received escalating stimulation of the lips and intraoral structures (gums, palate, tongue). Sessions delivered 2-4 times daily by trained nurses during routine care, initiated within the first three postnatal days and continued until the introduction of oral feeding.
Neonatal Unit, Hopital Croix Rousse
Lyon, France
Feasibility of bedside suckometry (successful recordings rate)
Proportion of infants with successful suckometry recordings from the first postnatal week. Feasibility defined as absence of adverse events and completion of weekly assessments.
Time frame: From first postnatal week until full oral feeding autonomy, up to approximately 7 weeks
Suction burst frequency
Number of suction bursts per session compared between STIM and NOSTIM groups over time
Time frame: Weekly from first postnatal week to full oral feeding autonomy, up to 7 weeks
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