Korean J Child Health Nurs.  1998 Aug;4(2):305-313.

Effects of Nonnutritive Sucking on Behavioral State in Preterm Infants

• Shin HS

Abstract

The purpose of study was to examine the effect of nonnutritive sucking(NNS) on behavioral state in preterm infants. Fourteen infants(gestational age 28-35 weeks, M=31.86 ; birth weights 1095-2275g, M=1694g) admitted to NICU, serving as their controls were randomly administered 5 min of nonnutritive sucking and a control condition. Behavioral state was measured using the Anderson Behavioral State Scale(ABSS). Heart rates were obtained for each infant before and during NNS and bottle feeding. Data collection was done by 3 experienced nurses in NICU 2 times a day for consecutive 4 days for each subject. Interrater reliability were .80-.90. The findings were as follows : 1. Preterm infants averaged active restless states 58.93% in the preintervention phase and 27.32% in the NNS phase. Inactive awake states were 3.57% in the preintervention phase and 34.64% in the NNS phase. 2. There were significantly more positive changes to inactive awake states for the NNS intervention, Z=-2.35, p=.01. 3. There was no statistically significant difference in heart rate change between NNS intervention and control condition, z=-1.15, p=.24. 4. The rates of feeding success determined by finishing prescribed amount of milk by bottle feeding within 15 minutes were 83.94% in NNS intervention and 89.29% in control condition. The findings from this study confirmed that NNS is effective for behavioral state modulation and inducing optimal state for feeding in preterm infant. The NNS intervention in nursing practice may help the transition of preterm infants for nipple feeding.

MeSH Terms

Birth Weight
Bottle Feeding
Data Collection
Heart Rate
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature*
Milk
Nipples
Nursing
Weights and Measures
Child Health