Readiness for oral feeding and breastfeeding performance of late preterm newborns with hyperbilirubinemia undergoinG phototherapy
Keywords: Premature newborn; Suction behavior; Breastfeeding; Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia; Phototherapy.
Introduction: Prematurity is a risk factor for the occurrence of eating disorders. However, late preterm newborns, in general, are accompanied in rooming-in without differentiated management. Jaundice is the clinical manifestation of hyperbilirubinemia and often occurs in the neonatal period. Late preterm newborns have a high risk of developing significant hyperbilirubinemia, especially those at 35 and 36 weeks of gestational age. It is known that bilirubin in high amounts is potentially neurotoxic and that phototherapy can generate adverse events, such as fluid loss. Feeding difficulties are a risk factor for increased serum bilirubin levels. Therefore, it is important to assess the readiness for oral feeding and the performance of breastfeeding in late preterm infants, in order to investigate possible difficulties of the mother/newborn. in breastfeeding and provide data that allow adequate management of their feeding difficulties and guarantee the newborn an effective breastfeeding and adequate intake. Such measures may minimize the risks of increased serum bilirubin levels and phototherapy. Objective: To investigate the readiness responses for oral feeding and breastfeeding difficulties in late preterm newborns with hyperbilirubinemia undergoing phototherapy. Method: This is an observational, analytical, cross-sectional controlled study. Carried out in a public teaching maternity hospital whose population and sample is composed of mothers and late preterm newborns accompanied in rooming-in. The mother/newborn dyads will be divided into two groups, one in which newborns have hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy (case group), and another in which newborns have hyperbilirubinemia considered physiological, therefore, no need for phototherapy. (group control). For the purposes of sample calculation, a pilot study was carried out. Assessments of readiness for oral feeding and performance of breastfeeding were performed using instruments widely recognized for this purpose and indirect bilirubin levels were verified on the day of assessment by the pediatrician. Expected results: Newborns with hyperbilirubinemia undergoing phototherapy are expected to have lower scores in the assessment of readiness for oral feeding and in the assessment of breastfeeding performance.