AUTHOR=Ofek Shlomai Noa , Mordechai Chen , Morag Iris , Bdolach Abram Tali , Eventov Friedman Smadar 

TITLE=Cue-based feeding in the NICU—a pathway to earlier oral feeding of preterm infants

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2024.1417628

DOI=10.3389/fped.2024.1417628

ISSN=2296-2360

ABSTRACT=Aim: To compare volume driven and cue-based feeding of preterm low-birth-weight infants, regarding short term outcomes, including transition to oral feeds, weight gain, and length of stay.
Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Feeding and weight gain outcomes were compared between infants fed by volume driven and cue-based feeds. the groups were subdivided by birth weight categories.
Results: Study group included 240 low birth weight preterm infants born before 34 weeks of gestation, 120 infants fed by volume driven feeding were compared to 120 infants fed by cue-based feeding. The groups were sub analyzed by birth weight categories, <1,500 gr, and 1500-2,500 gr. Study groups were comparable regarding baseline characteristics and neonatal morbidities. Infants fed by cue-based feeding were more likely to achieve full oral feeding faster, and at an earlier gestational age. Infants with birth weight of <1,500 gr were less likely to experience adverse respiratory episodes during cue-based feeding. Although weight gain rate was reduced in the cue-based feeding in the heavier infant group, discharge weight, breast-feeding rates, and length of stay, were comparable between the groups. 
Conclusions: Cue-based feeding results in faster transition to full oral feeding in preterm very-low-birth infants, and at an earlier gestational age. 
Key notes:
•	Transition to oral feeding is a challenge for low-birth-weight preterm infants.
•	Cue-based feeding is a feeding method which is responsive to the infants’ cues of satiety and hunger.
•	Cue-based feeding results in faster transition of low-birth-weight infants to full oral feeding, at an earlier gestational age, with increased cardiorespiratory stability.