The association between sucking behavior in preterm infants and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years of age

Mechteld Wolthuis, Margreet Luinge, Saakje da Costa, Wim Krijnen, Cees van der Schans, Arend Bos

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Objective To evaluate whether a specific period after birth (in weeks postmenstrual age [PMA]) and specific elements of sucking are associated with abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 2 years using a longitudinal approach.
Study design Fifty-two preterm infants participated in this longitudinal cohort study (mean gestational age,
29.5 weeks; mean birth weight, 1197 g). We assessed the infants’ sucking patterns at 37-50 weeks PMA using the Neonatal Oral-Motor Assessment Scale. At age 2 years, based on a neurologic examination and the Dutch version of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Second Edition, we categorized the children as developing normally (n = 39) or abnormally (n = 13). ORs, including 95% CIs, were calculated to ascertain the risk of abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Results The inability to sustain sucking at 46 weeks PMA (OR, 6.25; 95% CI, 1.29-30.35) and the absence of a
mature sucking pattern at 44 weeks PMA (OR, 6.30; 95% CI, 1.40-28.32) significantly increased the odds of
abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 2 years. The ORs of the Neonatal Oral-Motor Assessment Scale items assessing rhythmic jaw movements, rhythmic tongue movements, and coordination among sucking, swallowing, and respiration were high shortly after term, but failed to reach significance.
Conclusion Specific elements of sucking at 4-6 weeks postterm are associated with abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants at age 2 years. This period might be a sensitive time of infant development in which sucking behavior is an early marker of abnormal developmental outcomes. This finding may offer opportunities for early intervention.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)26-30.e1
JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics
Volume166
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2015

Keywords

  • sucking behavior
  • preterm infants
  • neurodevelopmental outcomes

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