IngentaConnect A Controlled-flow Vacuum-free Bottle System Enhances Preterm Infa...

Authors: Fucile, Sandra¹; Gisel, Erika¹; Schanler, Richard²; Lau, Chantal³

Source: Dysphagia, Volume 24, Number 2, June 2009 , pp. 145-151(7)

Publisher: Springer

Abstract:

We have shown that a controlled-flow vacuum-free bottle system (CFVFB) vs. a standard bottle (SB) facilitates overall transfer and rate of milk transfer, and shortens oral feeding duration in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. We aimed to understand the basis by which this occurs. Thirty infants (19 males; 27 ± 1 weeks gestation) were randomized to a CFVFB or SB. Outcomes monitored at 1-2 and 6-8 oral feedings/day when infants were around 34 and 36 weeks postmenstrual age, respectively, included: overall transfer (% volume taken/volume prescribed), rate of milk transfer (ml/min), sucking stage, frequency of suction (#S/s) and expression (#E/s), suction amplitude (mmHg), and sucking burst duration (s). At both periods we confirmed that infants using a CFVFB vs. SB demonstrated greater overall transfer and rate of milk transfer, along with more mature sucking stages. Suction and expression frequencies were decreased with CFVFB vs. SB at 1-2 oral feeding/day; only that of suction was reduced at 6-8 oral feedings/day. No group differences in suction amplitude and burst duration were observed. We speculate that oral feeding performance improves without significant change in sucking effort with a CFVFB vs. SB. In addition, we have shown that VLBW infants can tolerate faster milk flow than currently presumed. Finally, the use of a CFVFB may reduce energy expenditure as it enhances feeding performance without increasing sucking effort.

Keywords: Bottle feeding; Oral feeding; Suck-swallow-breathe; VLBW; Prematurity; Deglutition; Deglutition disorders

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1007/s00455-008-9182-z

Affiliations: 1: McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3G 1Y5 2: Schneider Children's Hospital at North Shore, Manhasset, NY, 11023, USA 3: Department of Pediatrics/Neonatology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, BCM 320, Houston, TX, 77030, USA, Email: clau@bcm.edu

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A Controlled-flow Vacuum-free Bottle System Enhances Preterm Infants' Nutritive Sucking Skills