The Effect of Routine and Random Pacifier Use Methods in Preterm Infants
Condition: Feeding; Neonatal
MeSH terms: Premature Birth
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The aim of this study is to determine the effect of the routine 5-min pacifier use before
      feeding and the random 30-min pacifier use independent from feeding during the day on the
      transition to bottle feeding process in preterm infants.
    

Detailed description: 
      Preterm infants, may most frequently experience feeding difficulties as a result of lower
      oral-motor tone, poor coordination during sucking-swallowing-respiration, sleepy behavior,
      gastrointestinal dysmotility and immature sucking pressure and being unable to sustain their
      physiological values at a normal level during feeding. In the literature, it is reported that
      approximately 82% of preterm infants have an oral feeding difficulty. As a consequence, it is
      a very complex process to acquire a safe and effective feeding skill and preterm infants need
      support in the weeks after birth until participants develop skills that are necessary for
      oral feeding and complete a successful transition to total oral feeding independent from
      orogastric catheter.

      Although studies have stressed positive effects of the Non-nutritive sucking (NNS)
      intervention on feeding performance, it is reported that there is a need for more
      comprehensive randomized controlled studies revealing the use frequency, duration or effect
      of time.

      In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where the study will be conducted, an appropriate
      method is chosen for preterm infants based on their general condition and the feeding
      transition stages are determined incrementally with repetitive follow-ups during feeding. The
      routine 5-min pacifier use method before feeding and the random 30-min pacifier use method
      during the day will be applied to newborns who have enteral feeding. Newborns who already use
      pacifier independent from feeding during the day in the clinic and to whom these methods are
      applied, will comprise the control group. In order to ensure a homogeneous application in the
      control group, the pacifier use duration will be limited to 30 minutes. Pacifier use
      durations have been determined in line with the literature examining the contribution of
      pacifier use to the feeding of preterm infants. Newborns, to whom the routine 5-min pacifier
      use method is applied before each feeding, will comprise the experimental group. All newborns
      included in the study will be followed until participants are discharged.
    

Intervention name(s): Pacifier randomly; Pacifier other
Intervention type(s): Procedure; Procedure
Intervention description(s): Common Action Steps:
Legal representatives of newborns are informed about the study purpose, participants read and sign the informed consent form so their consent is obtained.
Inclusion and exclusion criteria are evaluated.
Study group is determined in line with the randomization order of the newborn to be included in the study.
First part of the patient information and follow-up form is completed.
Feeding content, amount and method are determined by the physician.
Action Steps of the Control Group:
* Pacifier is randomly given to the infant for 30 min independent from feeding during the day.
Common procedure steps are applied.
Procedure steps are applied in accordance with the "Neonatal Nursing Protocols" according to the newborn's feeding method.
Second part of the patient information and follow-up form is completed daily.; Procedure Steps of the Experimental Group:
Pacifier is randomly given to the infant for 30 min independent from feeding during the day. In addition, pacifier is given to the infant for 5 min before each feeding.
Common procedure steps are applied.
Pacifier is given for 5 min before each feeding.
Procedure steps are applied in accordance with the "Neonatal Nursing Protocols" according to the newborn's feeding method.
Second part of the patient information and follow-up form is completed daily.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Supportive Care
Keywords: Preterm; Non-nutritive sucking; Feeding