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Table 2 Main features of trials and observational studies assessing preterm infants with oral dysfunction or comorbidities

From: Complementary feeding in preterm infants: a position paper by Italian neonatal, paediatric and paediatric gastroenterology joint societies

Author, Year

Study Design

Sample Size

Results

Menezes, 2018 [60]

Observational study

Cross-sectional study on 38 preterm infants to investigate difficulties in CF in premature infants

Nearly 75% of preterm infants experienced at least one defensive behaviour at mealtime (e.g., refusal to open their mouth, food selectivity, and feeding refusal).

Pahsini, 2018 [37]

Observational study

Evaluation of prematurity rate among 711 tube dependent children from the program based on the “Graz Model of tube weaning”

According to ICD-10 classification, 378 children (53.2%) were born prematurely, with 103 infants < 29 weeks’ GA and 275 between 29 and 36 + 6 weeks’ GA.

Kamitsuka, 2017 [38]

Observational study

Assessment of the impact of an oral feeding protocol (OFP) on the number of infants requiring home tube feeds: the study included 129 infants before the protocol implementation and 141 infants afterwards

After introducing the OFP, oral feedings were started earlier, full oral feedings were achieved sooner, and the incidence of home tube feeds at discharge was reduced.

Sanchez, 2016 [39]

Observational study

Evaluation of oro-motor feeding at 12 months’ CA in 90 infants born before 30 weeks’ GA vs. 137 term-born peers

Preterm infants featured greater odds of oro-motor feeding problems at 12 months’ CA. Neonatal surgery was documented as risk factor for feeding difficulties.

Malhotra, 1999 [63]

Cross-over controlled trial

Assessment of bottle, cup and a traditional feeding device (‘paladai’) in 100 infants (n = 66 term AGA infants, n = 20 term SGA infants, and n = 14 preterm infants)

Infants took the maximum volume in the least time and kept quiet the longest with the paladai. Spilling was the highest with the cup, especially in preterm infants.

  1. AGA appropriate for gestational age, CA corrected age, CF complementary feeding, GA gestational age, OFP oral feeding protocol, SGA small for gestational age.