Effect of Non-nutritive Sucking on Weight Gain and Length of Stay in Preterm Infants Requiring Gavage Feeding: A Clinical Trial

Background and purpose: Gavage feeding tubes increase the length of stay and reduce the growth process in neonates. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of non-nutritive sucking on weight gain and length of stay in neonates that required gavage feeding. Materials and methods: In a clinical trial, neonates were selected via convenience sampling and randomly assigned into an intervention group (n=37) or a control group (n=38). Data including demographic information, admission and discharge dates, and neonates’ weights were recorded. In the intervention group, non- nutritive sucking was performed by the mother's finger at the same time as the gavage feeding. Data analysis was performed in SPSS V20 applying independent t-test, Mann-Whitney, and Chi-square. Results: The mean weight at discharge was 90.73 g higher in the intervention group than the control group (P=0.121). The mean weight loss was found to be higher in control group than the intervention group (P= 0.818). The mean length of stay was 14.22± 8.32 days in intervention group and 14.61±7.34 in control group, indicating no significant differences between the two groups (P=0.830, statistical power=60%). Conclusion: Non-nutritive sucking had no significant positive effect on length of stay and weight gain in preterm infants. Further studies with larger sample size are suggested. (Clinical Trials Registry Number: IRCT20200617047806N1)