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Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able define feeding proficiency for preterm infants with BPD.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to define feeding efficiency for preterm infants with BPD.
Methods: The setting was a 120 bed neonatal intensive care unit. A randomized, experimental design included 86 preterm infants with BPD who were assigned to the control condition (n = 42) (standard care) or the experimental protocol (n = 44). Nurses assigned to the experimental protocol used infant behavioral and cardio-respiratory responses to regulate frequency, length, and volume of feedings. Mean gestational ages at birth and birth weights were 25 + 1.54 weeks and 784 gm for the control group, and 25 + 1.48 weeks and 787 gm in the experimental group. ANOVA was used to analyze these data.
Results: There were no differences between study groups on proficiency (% volume ingested). Proficiency at first oral feeding was 68.1 control and 68.9 experimental, at mid-point was 88.3 control and 81.4 experimental, and on attainment of full oral feeding was 100 for both groups. Efficiency (ml/minute) was not different at first oral feeding with 1.4 control and 1.5 experimental, nor at mid-point with 1.9 control and 1.7 experimental. There was a significant difference at attainment of full feeding with 3.4 for control and 2.3 for experimental.
Conclusion: The difference in proficiency on attainment of full oral feeding was because the experimental infants reached feeding on an average of 6 days compared to control infants who took 12 days, and so were less mature. The proficiency to ingest a required volume of feeding necessary for growth is more important than efficiency.
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