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Original research
Effect of an oral stimulation protocol on breastfeeding among preterm infants: a randomised controlled trial
  1. Gopalakrishnan Jayapradha1,
  2. Lakshmi Venkatesh1,
  3. Prakash Amboiram2,
  4. Radish Kumar Balasubramanium3,
  5. Umamaheswari Balakrishnan2
  1. 1 Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Audiology & Speech Language Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  2. 2 Neonatology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  3. 3 Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
  1. Correspondence to Dr Lakshmi Venkatesh; lakshmiv{at}sriramachandra.edu.in; Mrs Gopalakrishnan Jayapradha; jayapradhag{at}sriramachandra.edu.in

Abstract

Objectives The objectives are to assess the effectiveness of a modified and adapted oral sensorimotor intervention (MA-OSMI) protocol for infants in India on the rate and performance of breastfeeding among preterm (PT) infants at discharge.

Design Single-centre randomised control trial.

Setting Level III B neonatal intensive care unit in a quaternary care hospital in South India.

Patients A total of 76 PT infants born between 26 and 33+6 weeks of gestational age, stratified into <30 weeks and 30–33+6 weeks, were randomised to intervention group (MA-OSMI) or standard care (SC).

Interventions MA-OSMI in addition to SC versus SC alone. The stimulation included 12 techniques administered by the principal investigator. SC included kangaroo mother care and non-nutritive sucking.

Outcome measures Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rate and breastfeeding performance at the time of discharge, assessed using standardised tools by clinician and mothers.

Results Infants in MA-OSMI group (66%) had significantly higher EBF rate compared with the SC group (16%) (OR: 10.25; 95% CI: 3.41 to 30.80). Improved breastfeeding performance was noted as per the clinician’s observation. Significantly lower scores for MA-OSMI groups (63.42±36.43) than SC groups (126.61±60.94) on mothers’ ratings suggested better feeding skills.

Conclusion Prefeeding oral stimulation contributed significantly to the achievement of EBF among PT infants at discharge. The present findings may benefit speech–language pathologists, paediatricians/neonatologists and nurses in the intervention of oral feeding among neonates.

  • Child Development
  • Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
  • Neonatology
  • Primary Health Care

Data availability statement

Data are available on reasonable request.

https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2024-327494

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    Data availability statement

    Data are available on reasonable request.

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    Footnotes

    • X @@g_jayaprad76615

    • Contributors GJ conceptualised and designed the study, designed the data collection instruments, collected data, performed the analyses, wrote the manuscript and critically reviewed and revised the manuscript. LV conceptualised and designed the study, designed the data collection instruments, performed the analyses, wrote the manuscript and critically reviewed and revised it. PA conceptualised and designed the study, critically reviewed and revised the manuscript. RKB designed the study and critically reviewed and revised the manuscript. UB reviewed the study design and critically reviewed and revised the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of this work. GJ acted as guarantor.

    • Funding The study received funding from the Founder Chancellor Shri N.P.V. Ramasamy Udayar Fellowship, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research to the first author, GJ.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; internally peer reviewed.