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Objective To evaluate whether a specific period after birth (in weeks postmenstrual age [PMA]) and specific elements of sucking are associated with abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 2 years using a longitudinal approach.Study design Fifty-two preterm infants participated in this longitudinal cohort study (mean gestational age, 29.5 weeks; mean birth weight, 1197 g). We assessed the infants' sucking patterns at 37-50 weeks PMA using the Neonatal Oral-Motor Assessment Scale. At age 2 years, based on a neurologic examination and the Dutch version of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Second Edition, we categorized the children as developing normally (n = 39) or abnormally (n = 13). ORs, including 95% CIs, were calculated to ascertain the risk of abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes.Results The inability to sustain sucking at 46 weeks PMA (OR, 6.25; 95% CI, 1.29-30.35) and the absence of a mature sucking pattern at 44 weeks PMA (OR, 6.30; 95% CI, 1.40-28.32) significantly increased the odds of abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 2 years. The ORs of the Neonatal Oral-Motor Assessment Scale items assessing rhythmic jaw movements, rhythmic tongue movements, and coordination among sucking, swallowing, and respiration were high shortly after term, but failed to reach significance.Conclusion Specific elements of sucking at 4-6 weeks postterm are associated with abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants at age 2 years. This period might be a sensitive time of infant development in which sucking behavior is an early marker of abnormal developmental outcomes. This finding may offer opportunities for early intervention.

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 ρ=0.64, p

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between sucking patterns and the quality of fidgety movements in preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: We studied the sucking patterns and fidgety movements of 44 preterm infants (gestational age 50 weeks) was correlated with the quality of fidgety movements (Spearman ρ = -0.33; P = .035). The percentage per infant of normal and uncoordinated sucking patterns was also correlated with the quality of fidgety movements (ρ = 0.31; P = .048 and ρ = -0.33; P = .032, respectively). Infants with uncoordinated sucking patterns had a higher rate of abnormal fidgety movements (OR, 7.5; 95% CI, 1.4-40; P = .019). CONCLUSION: The development of sucking patterns in preterm infants was related to the quality of fidgety movements. Uncoordinated sucking patterns were associated with abnormal fidgety movements, indicating that uncoordinated sucking, swallowing, and breathing may represent neurologic dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the development of sucking patterns in small-for-gestational age (SGA) preterm infants differs from appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: We assessed sucking patterns in 15 SGA and 34 AGA preterms (gestational age