Effect of Oral Sensory Motor Intervention on Breastfeeding at Discharge and 3 Months Corrected Age Among Preterm Infants A Randomised Control Trial

Abstract

Premature infants face challenges in transitioning from non oral modes of feeding to oral feeding and in establishing breastfeeding due to underdeveloped oromotor skills and suck swallow breath coordination The current study aimed to assess the effect of oral sensory motor intervention on breastfeeding among preterm infants at discharge at term equivalent age and at one and three months corrected age A modified and adapted oral sensory motor intervention protocol comprising perioral and intraoral stimulation was compiled from existing protocols and content validated by experts for use with infants in India This was a single centre randomised control trial A total of 76 preterm infants born between 26 and less than 34 weeks of GA stratified into less than 30 weeks and 30 to less than 34 weeks GA were randomised to the intervention group or the standard care alone group The intervention group received MA OSMI in addition to SC The stimulation included 12 techniques administered by the clinician and mothers SC included kangaroo mother care and non nutritive sucking Outcome measures included the exclusive breastfeeding rate and breastfeeding performance assessed using a range of standardized tools by both the clinician and the mother Pre feeding OSMI contributed significantly to the achievement of EBF and improved breastfeeding performance among preterm infants at discharge term age one and three month corrected age The findings contribute to the much needed evidence base on OSMI for improving early feeding skills among preterm infants The OSMI protocol along with the SC aligns with the feeding practices commonly used in India and can serve as a reference for practicing professionals newline