The Effect of Oropharyngeal Colostrum Administration on Early Feeding Skills and Transition to Oral Feeding in Preterm Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Adv Neonatal CareSep 29, 2026
Clinical ResearchPediatrics
Sümeyra Topal, Sinem Yalnızoğlu Çaka, Selin Aytemiz et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial investigated the impact of oropharyngeal colostrum administration on oral feeding readiness in 60 preterm infants (26 0 to 33 6/7 weeks gestation). The study found that infants receiving colostrum had significantly higher Early Feeding Skills Assessment Tool scores post-intervention (P < .001) and greater weight gain compared to controls (P = .022).
Key findings
- Colostrum administration resulted in significantly higher EFS-Turkish scores post-intervention (P < .001).
- The OC group gained significantly more weight than the control group (P = .022).
- Oropharyngeal colostrum explained 20% of the variation in EFS-Turkish scores.
Why it matters
Enhancing oral feeding skills in preterm infants is crucial for their long-term development. This study suggests that oropharyngeal colostrum may be a beneficial non-pharmacological intervention to support this transition.