Background: It has been hypothesized t hat early initiation of oral feeding in premature infants may enhance the matura tion of sucking patterns. Aim: To compare preterm infant sucking characteristics in urban level III neonatal care units in the USA and Israel. The two hospitals have different practices regarding the introduction of oral feeding. Methods: I nfants were assessed at 34- 35 wk postconceptional age (PCA) and at term. Sucki ng parameters were assessed with the Kron’s Nutritive Sucking Apparatus. Resul ts: 70 infants (38 Americans and 32 Israelis) participated in the study. Oral fe edings were initiated earlier (32.6 ± 4.3 vs 34.5 ± 1.8 wk PCA, p < 0.01) an d full oral feedings were reached earlier (35.4 ± 2.8 vs 36.5 ± 2.5 wk PCA, p < 0.05) in the USA infants. American preterm infants produced significantly mo re sucks (p < 0.001), had a higher suck rate (p < 0.001), more sucks per burst ( p < 0.05), and a shorter interburst width (p < 0.01) at 34 wk PCA than Israeli i nfants. At term, American infants produced significant more sucks (p < 0.001), h igher suck rate (p < 0.001), shorter intersuck width (p < 0.001), and a shorter interburst width (p < 0.05) than the Israeli infants of the same PCA. Conclusion : Different practices in the care of preterm infants, such as postconceptional a ge at introduction of oral feed ing, may play a role in the development of feeding and feeding organization a t term.
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