Oral stimulation for promoting oral feeding in preterm infants

Abstract

We included 19 studies of poor quality with small numbers of participants. Study findings suggest that oral stimulation interventions can shorten the transition to oral feeding, reduce length of hospital stay and decrease time spent on parenteral nutrition. No studies looked at longer-term outcomes of the interventions (i.e. beyond six months). Studies have reported no effect on breast feeding outcomes nor on weight gain. Quality of evidenceThese studies were small and most were of low or very low methodological quality. Review authors identified no high-quality studies that could support the efficacy, effectiveness and safety of oral stimulation interventions. Larger, well-designed RCTs are needed to help inform parents and caregivers about the possible benefits and harms of this intervention.3 Oral stimulation for promoting oral feeding in preterm infants (Review)

Rapid review of Allied Health Professionals working in neonatal services

“…Five studies were included that addressed Q2 (see section 5.1, Table 6 for full eligibility criteria) all were systematic reviews (Girabent-Farrés et al 2021, Greene et al 2023, Lavallée et al 2021, Orton et al 2024, Rodovanski et al 2023. The systematic reviews were checked for trials relevant to our review (where the early intervention was delivered by an AHP while the infant was in a neonatal unit) and 57 relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were identified.…”

“…See Table 9 for a summary of the included systematic reviews and relevant trials. The systematic reviews were at low (Greene et al 2023, Lavallée et al 2021, Orton et al 2024 or unclear (Girabent-Farrés et al 2021, Rodovanski et al 2023) risk of bias (see Table 12). Reasons for unclear risk of bias were concerns with the search strategy and inability to access the review protocol.…”

“…Moderate certainty evidence from 10 RCTs (Greene et al 2023) indicates that time to oral feeding is around 1 week shorter with oral stimulation provided by an AHP than with standard care.…”

A Single-Subject Study to Consider the Premature Infant Oral Motor Intervention Combined with Kinesio-Tape in Premature Infants with Feeding Problems

“…Oral feeding is a complex phenomenon that needs sufficient function and integration of different parameters—such as oral musculature, postural control, lung function, and proper behavioral state ( 8 ). Feeding problems are commonly seen in premature infants (PIs) due to immaturity of oral motor skills and incoordination of suck-swallow-breath ( 9 - 12 ). Feeding problems lead to severe complications—such as malnutrition, dehydration, weight loss, and developmental deficits ( 13 ).…”