Skip to ContentSkip to Navigation
About us Latest news News News articles

Development of sucking patterns in preterm infants

10 March 2010

Promotie: mw. S.P. da Costa, 14.45 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Proefschrift: Development of sucking patterns in preterm infants

Promotor(s): prof.dr. A.F. Bos

Faculteit: Medische Wetenschappen

Contact: via de persvoorlichters van het UMCG, tel. 050-361 2200, e-mail: voorlichting bvl.umcg.nl

Development of sucking patterns in preterm infants

Generally, healthy, fullterm infants shows a normal sucking pattern. In preterm infants, the development of sucking patterns differs from full term infants and takes more time. We did a longitudinally study in about 60 preterms. Only a quarter of the preterms had a normal sucking pattern at full term age; by the age of ten weeks postterm this had increased to three quarters. Preterm infants have difficulty coordinating their breathing with sucking and swallowing and to sustain sucking. Their sucking patterns are not characterized by rhythmical movements of jaw and tongue as seen in a mature sucking pattern. Small-for-gestational age preterm infants and very preterm infants (GA < 30 weeks PMA), especially those with a bronchopulmonal dysplasia require extra attention in developing their sucking skills.

Last modified:13 March 2020 01.16 a.m.
View this page in: Nederlands

More news

  • 10 June 2024

    Swarming around a skyscraper

    Every two weeks, UG Makers puts the spotlight on a researcher who has created something tangible, ranging from homemade measuring equipment for academic research to small or larger products that can change our daily lives. That is how UG...

  • 24 May 2024

    Lustrum 410 in pictures

    Lustrum 410 in pictures: A photo report of the lustrum 2024

  • 21 May 2024

    Results of 2024 University elections

    The votes have been counted and the results of the University elections are in!