Oral motor intervention and weight gain in premature infants: A clinical randomized controlled study

Background Interventions aimed at providing oral motor stimulation improve the preparedness for oral feeding and support the earlier attainment of full oral feeding in preterm infants. However, utilizing the Premature Infant Oral Motor Intervention (PIOMI) as a structured method may prolong the time needed to reach complete oral feeding and enhance feeding efficiency regarding weight gain and exclusive breastfeeding, compared to an unstructured approach. Objective The current study aimed to evaluate the impact of PIOMI on the progression of oral feeding and weight gain in premature infants. Methods This study represents a randomized controlled trial that took place in a neonatal intensive care unit in 2024. The intervention group received PIOMI, and the control group did not receive the intervention. The participants of the two groups were compared based on weight gain, mean height, head circumference, and length of hospitalization. Results The findings of this study showed that the mean of studied parameters, such as weight, height, and head circumference of the infants in the intervention group, was higher than that of the control group, and this difference was statistically significant ( p < 0.05). Moreover, the mean number of uninterrupted sucking of infants in the intervention group was higher, and it was statistically significant ( p < 0.001). Discussion The PIOMI intervention enhances the sucking strength and consequently boosts the growth metrics of premature infants. Conclusion It was concluded that the PIOMI intervention increases the sucking power and, as a result, improves the growth indicators of premature neonates, such as weight, height, and head circumference, which is clinically important. Additionally, it reduces the mean hospitalization time.