Abstract
Objective The study aimed to assess whether there was any difference in the transition time
to full oral feedings between parent-administered and professional-administered premature
infant oral motor intervention (PIOMI). The study also evaluated parental satisfaction
with performing the intervention through an open-ended questionnaire.
Study Design A single-center, randomized, controlled, open-label pilot study was carried on between
March 2017 and May 2019. A total of 39 infants born ≤32 weeks' gestation were randomly
assigned to either parent-performed or professionally performed oral stimulation.
The oral stimulation was performed once a day for seven consecutive days between 31
and 32 weeks' postmenstrual age.
Results There was no statistically significant difference in transition time, weight gain,
or length of hospital stay between the two groups. No adverse events were observed.
Parents' satisfaction was high, and their active involvement enhanced their perception
of adequacy to care for their infant.
Conclusion Following adequate training, a parent-administered PIOMI may be considered in preterm
infants to reduce the transition time to full oral feeding and enhance the direct
involvement of parents in neonatal care.
Key Points
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No difference in transition time between parent-performed and professional-performed
PIOMI.
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PIOMI may be delivered by parents following appropriate training.
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Active involvement of parents may improve the parent-infant bonding.
Keywords
oral feeding - oral motor intervention - premature infant oral motor intervention
- preterm infant - transition time
