USE OF A PORTABLE SUCKOMETER TO INVESTIGATE NUTRITIVE SUCKING PATTERNS IN INFANTS

An easy method for assessing nutritive sucking behavior during infancy would provide early identification of children at risk for feeding problems. We developed a portable suckometer to measure sucking amplitude across time and burst/interval patterns, and studied 54 normal infants (41 term, GA 38-42 wks., at 3.7 days ± 1.6 SD and 13 preterm, GA 34.5 wks. ± 1.8 SD at 41.5 wks. ± 1.6 SD post conception) in a newborn nursery for a midmorning feed. Measurements were taken for the first 60 cc consumed or 20 minute feeding time calculated from the first (S), mid (M) and last two minutes (E) of the feed. Breast-fed infants were given D5W; bottle-fed infants received their usual formula (e.g. Isomil). Nutrient flow was determined by the infant's suck. Standard cross-cut nipples with a second precut hole (Ross Twiston Nipple Unit) were attached to disposable graduated feeding tubes interfacing with an Ailtech miniature pressure transducer via Intramedic polyethylene tubing (PE-160). Results include: a) no significant differences on suck measurements for breast vs. bottle-fed, D5W vs. formula, male vs. female, preterm vs. term; b) a decrease across time (SE) for number of sucks (p<.001), and number and length of bursts (p<.001). This normative information obtained from the portable suckometer provides a baseline for comparison with infants with feeding difficulty, and documents the ease of obtaining nutritive sucking measurements in a normal newborn nursery.