Effects of Oral Stimulation in Preterm Infants

Effects of Oral Stimulation on Feeding Performance, Length of Hospital Stay and Anthropometric Variables of Preterm Infants

Preterm infants with gestational age inferior to 34 weeks were included in the study. A prospective experimental group received the oral stimulation protocol and the effects of the intervention were compared with a historical control group that did not receive any oral stimulation intervention.

The study hypothesis is that oral stimulation in preterm infants has beneficial effects on the feeding performance, the length of hospitalization and anthropometric variables, including weight at discharge, height at discharge and head circumference at discharge.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Preterm infants with gestational age inferior to 34 weeks

Exclusion Criteria:

• Instability caused by respiratory, cardiac or gastrointestinal issues
• Orofacial malformations.