Impact Assessment of Abdominal Massage on Feeding Tolerance of Preterms

Launched by UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, CLERMONT-FERRAND · Apr 2, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of abdominal massage on feeding tolerance in premature infants, specifically those born before 34 weeks of pregnancy. Premature babies often face challenges with their digestive systems, which can lead to feeding issues like bloating, spitting up, and discomfort. These problems can make their hospital stay longer and may even lead to serious complications. The researchers believe that by using a specific scale to assess the babies’ abdominal health, they can determine if abdominal massage helps improve their ability to tolerate feeding, gain weight faster, and ultimately shorten their time in the hospital.

To be eligible for this study, babies must be less than 34 weeks old at birth, at least 3 days old, and currently in a neonatal intensive care unit with signs of feeding intolerance. Parents or guardians must also be able to provide consent for their participation. If enrolled, participants can expect to receive abdominal massages over a 14-day period while the researchers monitor their progress using the assessment scale. This study aims to find a more objective way to decide when abdominal massage should be used, potentially improving care for many premature infants.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Newborn, premature, less than 34 Weeks of Amennorhea
• • at least 3 days of life
• • hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units
• • with feeding intolerance demonstrated by an ECAP (Clinical Abdominal Assessement scale for preterms) score equal to or greater than 4/20
• • whose holders of parental authority are able to give free and informed consent to participate in this study.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • premature newborns with a congenital pathology such as malformation, genetic or chromosomal abnormality
• • newborns whose holders of parental authority are protected by law (under guardianship, curatorship, placed under judicial safeguard) or aged under 18
• • rejection of participation by parents
• • newborns with a contraindication to abdominal massage (fever, major hemodynamic instability)