Prefeeding Oromotor Stimulation Program for Improving Oromotor Function in Preterm Infants - A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To determine effect of Premature Infant Oral Motor Intervention program on oro-motor function and time to full independent wati spoon feeds in preterm infants.

Methods: 30 preterm infants between 28-32 weeks of gestation on full gavage feeds of 150 mL/kg/day were randomized to receive either pre-feed oro-motor stimulation using Premature Infant Oral Motor Intervention (structured stimulation) or sham intervention (unstructured stimulation).

Results: Improvement in mean (SD) Neonatal Oro-Motor Assessment Scale (NOMAS) over 7 days from baseline was significantly higher in the study group infants as compared to control group (9.