Effect of Olfactory and Gustatory Stimulation on Premature Neonates ' Feeding Progression and Sniffing Away Feeding Tube

Antar, Aya Eladwy Mohamed; Bahgat, Rahma Soliman; Almashad, Abdelrahman Mohamed; Elhalafawy, Seham Eid Hashem

doi:10.21608/tsnj.2024.341028

Effect of Olfactory and Gustatory Stimulation on Premature Neonates ' Feeding Progression and Sniffing Away Feeding Tube

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Bachelor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing/ Tanta University, Egypt.

² Professor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing/ Tanta University, Egypt.

³ Professor of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine/ Tanta University, Egypt.

⁴ Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing/ Tanta University, Egypt.

10.21608/tsnj.2024.341028

Abstract

Background: Premature neonates have feeding problems due to immaturity; As a
result, until they acquire sufficient oral eating abilities, they require continuous enteral
feeding. Interventions to enhance feeding outcomes of premature neonates and
feeding outcomes is olfactory and gustatory stimulation. The study was aimed to
determine the effect of olfactory and gustatory stimulations on premature neonates '
feeding progression and sniffing away feeding tube. Subjects and method: A quasi-
experimental research design was used in the present study. Convenience sampling of
fifty premature neonates. The study was conducted at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of
Tanta Main University Hospital which affiliated to Ministry of Higher Education and
Scientific Research. Three Tools include: Characteristics of premature neonates,
Feeding pattern and intolerance of premature neonates’ assessment tool 2018, Growth
monitoring and physiological measurement of premature neonates. The result
indicated that majority of studied neonates in the study group sniffed away the
feeding tube to achieve full sucking in a shorter duration than neonates within the
group under control. The study concluded that premature neonates who received
olfactory and gustatory stimulation had improved feeding abilities and had faster
sniffing away feeding tube to reach full feeding. The study recommended that
written guidelines and procedures of the NICU should adopt the olfactory and
gustatory stimulations in their care.