Correlation of facial anthropometry data of late preterm newborns and oral feeding readiness

Abstract

Objective: To correlate nine facial anthropometric measurements with the readiness for oral feeding of late preterm newborns using an orogastric tube. Methods: Observational study, carried out in two institutions in Maceió, Alagoas. Fifty-two newborns participated. A single measuring of nine facial measurements and daily measuring of the interface area for fixing the tube was performed. For readiness assessment, the Premature Oral Feeding Readiness Assessment Scale was used. Results: An average readiness of 28.81 (± 3.18) was observed in the first evaluation and 30.65 (± 3.23) in the second. Most facial measurements are correlated with weight. There was a positive and slight correlation between glabella-subnasale distance and readiness. No correlation was observed between the area of the tube fixation interface and facial measurements. Conclusion: It is concluded that the glabella-subnasale measurement is positively correlated with the readiness for oral feeding in late preterm newborns who used an orogastric tube for feeding.