Article

AIM: To determine the association between sucking in infants born preterm and
developmental outcomes at 5 years. METHOD: Thirty-four infants were included
(mean gestational age 30wks 4d, mean birthweight 1407g).
The Neonatal Oral-Motor
Assessment Scale was used longitudinally from 37 to 50 weeks postmenstrual age.
At 5 years, we assessed motor skills, intelligence, language, verbal memory, and
behavioural problems. Linear regression analyses were performed to test whether
aspects of sucking behaviour predicted these developmental outcomes. Where linear
regression was not appropriate, Spearman's correlation coefficients were
calculated between sucking and developmental outcomes. RESULTS: Sucking was
associated with total motor skills (B [unstandardized correlation coefficient for
normally distributed data]=22.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.61 to 38.71),
balance (Spearman's rho=0.64, p<0.001), total intelligence (B=-1.16, 95% CI -1.89
to -0.44, B=10.48, 95% CI 0.39 to 20.71, B=-2.22, 95% CI -3.42 to -1.02), verbal
intelligence (B=-0.95; 95% CI -1.83 to -0.07, B=-2.02; 95% CI -3.55 to -0.49),
performance intelligence (B=-1.34, 95% CI -2.13 to -0.54, B=12.36, 95% CI 1.13 to
23.60, B=-2.37, 95% CI -3.75 to -0.96), and language (B=-1.78, 95% CI -3.36 to
-0.19). All associations were in the same direction: the better the sucking, the
higher the test scores. Verbal memory and behavioural problems were not
associated with sucking. INTERPRETATION: Abnormal sucking between 42 weeks and 50
weeks postmenstrual age may reflect abnormal neurological functioning in children
born preterm.
CI - (c) 2017 Mac Keith Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS