Testing Four Feeding Approaches to Oral Feeding in Preterm Infants (PRO)
Preterm Infant
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Preterm Infant focused on measuring Infant feeding
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- 1) the infant's gestational age at birth was less than 32 weeks; 2) the infant was receiving enteral feedings every three hours; 3) the infant was able medically to feed orally by 32 weeks post-menstrual age (PMA); and 3) the parents gave consent for the infant's participation.
Exclusion Criteria:
- 1) they were unable to begin oral feeding at 32 weeks PMA due to gastrointestinal, craniofacial, cardiovascular, neuromuscular, and/or genetic defects; 2) had surgical necrotizing enterocolitis; or 3) needed ventilator support, including nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), beyond 32 weeks PMA. Infants receiving oxygen by cannula were included.
Sites / Locations
- CCHMC
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
Early/Slow
Early/Fast
Late/Slow
Late/Fast
Infants were offered oral feedings beginning at 32 weeks PMA. They were offered 2 oral feedings per day for 3 days (Days 1-3). The number of oral feedings offered per day increased by 1 feeding every other day until day 14 when they were offered 8 oral feedings each day (Days 4-5, 3 oral feeds offered; Days 6-7, 4 oral feeds offered; Days 8-9, 5 oral feeds offered; Days 10-11, 6 oral feeds offered; Days 12-13, 7 oral feeds offered; Day14, 8 oral feeds offered). Any feedings not offered orally were provided by gavage.
Infants were first offered oral feedings beginning at 32 weeks PMA. They were offered 8 oral feedings every day, at each of 8 scheduled daily feedings.
Infants were offered oral feedings beginning at 34 weeks PMA. They were offered 2 oral feedings per day for 3 days (Days 1-3). The number of oral feedings offered per day increased by 1 feeding every other day until day 14 when they were offered 8 oral feedings each day (Days 4-5, 3 oral feeds offered; Days 6-7, 4 oral feeds offered; Days 8-9, 5 oral feeds offered; Days 10-11, 6 oral feeds offered; Days 12-13, 7 oral feeds offered; Day14, 8 oral feeds offered). Any feedings not offered orally were provided by gavage.
Infants were offered oral feedings beginning at 34 weeks PMA. They were offered 8 oral feedings every day, at each of 8 scheduled daily feedings.