Profiling non-nutritive sucking skills in full-term and preterm neonates

Background: Non-nutritive sucking (NNS) is a reflex in neonates where they suck on objects without receiving food. It aids in oral development and self-regulation. Preterm birth can affect NNS and feeding. Based on current guidelines, early evaluation is crucial for identifying any delay in normal development in this population. Hence, the current study aims to profile non-nutritive sucking skills in full-term (37 to < 42 weeks) and preterm (32 to < 37 weeks) neonates and to compare non-nutritive sucking skills between the groups. Method: A total of 180 neonates completed this study. “The test for oropharyngeal dysphagia in Indian neonates” (TOD-IN) was used to profile non-nutritive sucking. The number of sucks, swallows, bursts, duration of sucking, suck/le per swallow, and pause duration was also assessed. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the groups for non-nutritive sucking at p = <.001 and Cohen’s d had a large effect size (d = 1.42). Preterm neonates had a lesser number of sucks, bursts, swallows, and duration of sucking but had a higher pause duration compared to full-term neonates. Conclusion: Non-nutritive sucking skills develop with advancing postmenstrual age and a detailed profile is imperative for a proper assessment to identify progress and delays.