The development of sucking patterns and physiologic correlates in very-low-birtn-weight infants

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the development of nutritive sucking patterns and physiologic correlates in very-low-birth-weight infants. Fifty infants with a mean gestational age of295 weeks f SD = 1.8 weeks) and mean birth weight of1466g (“SD = 322 g) generated 106 sucking records. Tide mean number of sucks and maximum prvssure increased with increasing postconceptual age. The time required per bunt decreased between 32 weeks and 36 weeks. The mean time between sucks also deceased. The mean heart rates for the three 5-minute periods ranged from 158.56 to 177.97 bpm. Mean oxygen saturation ranged from 94.36% to 97.15%. Mean systolic pressure ranged from 69-82 mm Hg to 76.85 mm Hg; mean diastolic pressure from 43.63 mm Hg to 45.33 mmHg. Sucking parameter measurements can be used to distinguish an infant who is maturing and organizing appropriately for postconceptual age.