Nutritional status and feeding in preterm children subjected to oral sensorimotor stimulation

Abstract

Purpose: This research aimed to check the nutritional status and feeding in preterm children who had been subjected to oral sensorimotor stimulation (OSS). Method: To do this, it was necessary 19 children with ages between 12 and 24 months split into three groups, G1 and G2 (stimulated groups) and G3 (the control group). Anthropometric were done and the nutritional status was classified according to BMI. The supplement feeding (fruits, vegetable soup, cow’s milk, starch, meats, eggs and family eating habits) and the time of breastfeeding were checked by aid of 24-hour food recall and food record. Results: According to BMI, 73.7% of children presented eutrophic, 16.7% slimness and 21% overweight (p=0.554). The breastfeeding rate was 50% in the groups G1 and G2, and 57.1% in the group G3; however, in group G2, the length for it was longer, 150 / 95.4 days on average without any significant difference. The consumption of most food items investigated and familiar feeding occurred on average after the sixth month in the three groups. From 19 children investigated, 79% did not present rejection related to feeding and 84.2% received crumpled food without any significant differences among the groups. Conclusions: For the majority of children, it was checked an adequate nutritional status for age. The breastfeeding rates and the period for the introduction of supplement feeding seemed very similar among the groups. The majority of children did not present difficulties to feeding introduction. However, it is necessary more studies to investigate the benefits of the oral sensorimotor stimulation (OSS) during childhood..