Intrinsic Neurophysiological Factors Associated with the Attainment to Independent Oral Feeding in Preterm Infants.

AIM: Preterm infants often encounter difficulty with attaining independent oral feeding. There is limited evidence on which factors influence the achievement of independent oral feeding. This study aimed to examine the relation between intrinsic neurophysiological factors and the attainment of independent oral feeding.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted using data from a level II-III neonatal intensive care unit. The Oral Feeding in Preterm Infants Conceptual Model was used to identify intrinsic factors, including gestational age, sex, twin, respiratory support duration, intraventricular hemorrhage, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, patent ductus arteriosus, and sepsis.

RESULTS

A total of 282 infants (31.2 ± 2.4 wk) were included. The simple linear regression results revealed gestational age (β = -1.224, p ≤ 0.001), respiratory support duration (β = 0.216, p = 0.001), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (β = 0.6404, p < 0.001), patent ductus arteriosus (β = 3.197, p = 0.048) and sepsis β = 2.328, p = 0.042) were associated with the attainment of independent oral feeding. These variables were included in the multiple linear regression analyses, revealing gestational age, patent ductus arteriosus, and duration of respiratory support were significantly associated with the attainment of independent oral feeding.

CONCLUSION

Gestational age, duration of respiratory support and patent ductus arteriosus are key determinants of attaining independent oral feeding, underscoring the importance of considering these factors in clinical practice.