PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to develop a feeding protocol for premature infants and to evaluate the effects of protocol.
METHODS
The feeding protocol was developed through a literature review and discussions of an expert group. The developed feeding protocol was tested with 85 preterm infants in one neonatal intensive care unit in B city. A non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design was used. Data were collected from January 1 to April 30, 2013 for the control group and from June 1 to September 30, 2013 for the experimental group. The experimental group (n=38) received the feeding protocol, whereas the control group (n=47) had routine feeding care. Collected data were analyzed by t-test and -test using SPSS/WIN version 18.0.
RESULTS
First feeding time (t=2.22, p=.029) and full enteral feeding time (t=2.28, p=.026) were significantly decreased in the experimental group compared to the control group. There was no difference in incidence of complications (p>.05). Also no significant differences in weight reduction rate between the two groups were observed at the 7th postnatal day (t=-1.23, p=.222).
CONCLUSION
The results indicate that the feeding protocol for preterm infants is effective in decreasing first feeding time and full enteral feeding time.

Citations

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  Journal of Odor and Indoor Environment.2018; 17(1): 78.     CrossRef
• Analysis of Studies on High-Risk Infants and Quality Assessment of Intervention Studies
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  Child Health Nursing Research.2016; 22(2): 153.     CrossRef
• Effects of Massage Therapy on Feeding Intolerance and Physical Growth in Premature Infants
  Hyun Young Seo, Young Hae Kim, Sung-Ju Kim
  Child Health Nursing Research.2016; 22(4): 355.     CrossRef