Avaliação das características orofaciais e da amamentação de recém-nascidos prematuros antes da alta hospitalar

NURSES' PERCEPTIONS ABOUT THE FEEDING OF PRETERM NEWBORNS

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze nurses' perceptions about the feeding of preterm newborns and their motivations in using feeding methods during hospitalization in the neonatology unit. Method: descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Data collection was carried out between July 2019 and January 2020, using semi-structured interviews with 30 nurses from a neonatology unit. The analysis of interview data was carried out using lexicographical textual analysis, the descending hierarchical classification, and similarity analysis through IRaMuTeQ - R Interface software. Results: 876 text segments were analyzed in the descending hierarchical classification, retaining 86.3% of the total for the creation of five classes that resulted from content participation. The similarity analysis of the words representing the nurses' perception about oral feeding and the choice of feeding method led to three central cores, represented by the words: think, give, bottle. Conclusion: Nurses recognize the importance of continuing education and training in the assessment of oral skills. The reason for choosing the feeding method is often based on criteria such as preference, speed, and ease.

Protein-energy adequacy and nutritional evolution of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care unit

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the prescription of protein-calorie nutrition and its adequacy to the requirements of preterm newborns. Methods Prospective study with 30 preterm infants from a neonate intensive unit care. Anthropometric and nutritional therapy data were collected daily. Nutritional demands were defined according to the national guidelines. Protein-calorie nutritional support was considered adequate when it reached 70% of the calculated demand. The evolution of nutritional status was evaluated according to the growth curves of preterm infants. Statistical analyses were performed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences 20.0, at a 5% significance level. Results The means of demand, prescription and infusion significantly differed from each other. The values of calories and proteins prescribed and infused were inadequate according to the calculated ones. There was no significant difference between the volume of prescribed and administered nutrition (p>0.05). At birth, 30% of the children were small, 66.7% were adequate, and 3.3% were large for gestational age. At discharge, the percentages were 33.3%; 63.3%; 3.3%, respectively. The values at birth significantly differed from those at discharge (p<0.01). Conclusion In the Unit of Neonatal Care studied, inadequate nutrient prescription and support is a factor that can compromise the nutritional status of the newborns at hospital discharge.

Comparison of the finger-feeding versus cup feeding methods in the transition from gastric to oral feeding in preterm infants

OBJECTIVES

To assess the finger-feeding technique when compared with the cup feeding method during the early stage of preterm infant feeding transition regarding milk loss, milk ingestion period, and complications.

METHODS

Experimental, randomized, prospective study including 53 preterm infants with gestation age<37 weeks, clinically stable, and with a score of >28 points in the Oral Feeding Readiness Assessment Scale. The preterm babies were randomized to be included in the control group, which underwent the feeding transition using a cup or in the experimental group, which used the finger-feeding technique. The analysis of data was performed using Student's t-test to evaluate differences between mean values of the appointed variables, and Fischer's test for categorical variables; the asymmetric variables were assessed by the Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test.

RESULTS

When compared with the control group, the experimental group showed lower milk loss, longer milk ingestion time, and a lower frequency of complications during feeding. The significance level was set at 5%, with a confidence interval of 90%.

CONCLUSION

The finger-feeding technique was shown to be a better feeding transition method regarding efficacy when compared with cup feeding method, due to lower milk loss and fewer complication episodes.

Agentes comunitários de saúde e o aleitamento materno: desafios relacionados ao conhecimento e à prática

RESUMO Objetivo: identificar o conhecimento de Agentes Comunitários de Saúde sobre as práticas e a promoção do aleitamento materno. Métodos: estudo transversal, descritivo, inquérito, quanti-qualitativo realizado com amostra de 148 agentes. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio da aplicação de um questionário semiestruturado, com questões abertas e fechadas. Foram analisadas as variáveis: sociodemográficas, capacidade para orientação sobre o aleitamento, participação em treinamentos/cursos, conhecimentos sobre vantagens do aleitamento para mãe e bebê. Realizou-se análise estatística descritiva, foram empregados os testes Qui-quadrado, Exato de Fisher e G, ao nível de significância 5%. As questões abertas foram analisadas segundo a técnica de pesquisa qualitativa. Resultados: aproximadamente, 45,95% dos agentes não foram capacitados para realizar orientação prática das nutrizes sobre o aleitamento e 63,30% nunca participaram de cursos sobre amamentação. A maioria citou vantagens do aleitamento relacionadas, somente, ao bebê, emergindo as categorias: nutrição do bebê, imunológica, desenvolvimento/saúde do bebê, dentição/ossos. Houve associação estatisticamente significante entre capacidade de orientar as mães na amamentação e participação em treinamentos (p<0,001). Conclusão: os agentes não haviam participado de cursos de capacitação para acompanhar as nutrizes, apresentaram conhecimento limitado sobre a prática e a promoção do aleitamento, e as visitas domiciliares realizadas pós-parto ocorreram tardiamente.