Uncoordinated Sucking Patterns in Preterm Infants are Associated with Abnormal General Movements

Objective To examine the association between sucking patterns and the quality of fidgety movements in preterm infants.Study design We studied the sucking patterns and fidgety movements of 44 preterminfants (gestational ageResults The postmenstrual age at which sucking patterns became normal (median, 48 weeks; range, 34 to >50 weeks) was correlated with the quality of fidgety movements (Spearman r = -0.33; P = .035). The percentage per infant of normal and uncoordinated sucking patterns was also correlated with the quality of fidgety movements (r = 0.31; P = .048 and r = -0.33; P = .032, respectively). Infants with uncoordinated sucking patterns had a higher rate of abnormal fidgety movements (OR, 7.5; 95% CI, 1.4-40; P = .019).Conclusion The development of sucking patterns in preterm infants was related to the quality of fidgety movements. Uncoordinated sucking patterns were associated with abnormal fidgety movements, indicating that uncoordinated sucking, swallowing, and breathing may represent neurologic dysfunction. (J Pediatr 2012;161:792-8).