Oromotor Stimulation: A Quasi-experimental Study on Feeding Skills in Term Asphyxiated Neonates

Background Infants with perinatal asphyxia may develop feeding difficulties, which negatively impact their ability to achieve an adequate latch-on for breastfeeding. Early interventions in the form of oromotor stimulation (OMS) may enhance the feeding skills in at-risk neonates. Purpose This study intends to explore the effects of OMS on the feeding skills of term asphyxiated neonates. Methods Term asphyxiated newborns with feeding difficulty, as assessed by the LATCH (Latch, Audible Swallowing, Type of Nipple, Comfort, Hold) score, were included. A total of 70 neonates were enrolled and were subjected to OMS by trained nursing personnel for 7 days. Pre-intervention and post-intervention LATCH scores were compared and analyzed using inferential statistics to assess the effectiveness of the study intervention. Results The mean LATCH scores before and after the study intervention were 4.61 ± 0.76 and 9.40 ± 1.0, respectively ( P < .001), indicating a significant improvement in feeding skills following OMS. However, this intervention did not result in measurable weight gain among the study neonates. Conclusion The study findings suggest that term neonates with perinatal asphyxia and feeding difficulties, who received OMS, demonstrated significant improvement in their feeding skills. Implementing such a cost-effective and feasible structured feeding protocol early in the care bundle could be instrumental in enhancing feeding abilities among vulnerable neonates, especially in resource-constrained settings.