Functional Ontogeny of Hypothalamic Agrp Neurons in Neonatal Mouse Behaviors.

Hypothalamic Agrp neurons regulate food ingestion in adult mice. Whether these neurons are functional before animals start to ingest food is unknown. Here, we studied the functional ontogeny of Agrp neurons during breastfeeding using postnatal day 10 mice. In contrast to adult mice, we show that isolation from the nursing nest, not milk deprivation or ingestion, activated Agrp neurons. Non-nutritive suckling and warm temperatures blunted this effect. Using in vivo fiber photometry, neonatal Agrp neurons showed a rapid increase in activity upon isolation from the nest, an effect rapidly diminished following reunion with littermates. Neonates unable to release GABA from Agrp neurons expressed blunted emission of isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations. Chemogenetic overactivation of these neurons further increased emission of these ultrasonic vocalizations, but not milk ingestion. We uncovered important functional properties of hypothalamic Agrp neurons during mouse development, suggesting these neurons facilitate offspring-to-caregiver bonding.

Randomized Controlled Trial of a Prefeeding Oral Motor Therapy and Its Effect on Feeding Improvement in a Thai NICU.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the Premature Infant Oral Motor Intervention (PIOMI) on preterm newborns' feeding efficiency and rates of improvement across Days 1, 3, and 5 of oral feeding in a Thai NICU. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: A 20-bed special neonatal ward and 8-bed NICU in urban Thailand. PARTICIPANTS: Stable newborns (N = 30) born between 26 and 34 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) without comorbidities. METHODS: After they reached 32 to 34 weeks PMA, participants were randomly assigned to groups. The experimental group (n = 15) received the PIOMI once daily for 7 consecutive days, and the control group (n = 15) received routine care only. After oral feedings were initiated, the mean volume (MV) of oral intake of two consecutive oral feedings was calculated on Days 1, 3, and 5 to assess feeding efficiency and compare the groups. RESULTS: The MV of oral intake (percentage of prescribed feeding) was significantly greater in the experimental group versus the control group on all days of measurement. The MV consumed on Day 1 of oral feeding was 44.9% ± 7.33% in the experimental group versus 29.7% ± 9.55% in the control group (P < .001), 53.9% ± 8.01% versus 30.4% ± 11.07% on Day 3 (P < .001), and 61.7% ± 7.44% versus 34.8% ± 8.76 on Day 5 (P < .001). The rate of improvement was also accelerated in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: The improved feeding efficiency that we found in our participants is consistent with results from other published studies and supports the use of the PIOMI as an effective oral motor therapy for newborns ages 32 to 34 weeks PMA.

Wired for eating: how is an active feeding circuitry established in the postnatal brain?

From birth, mammals have to find food and maximize caloric intake to ensure growth and survival. Suckling must be initiated quickly after birth and then maintained and controlled until weaning. It is a complex process involving interactions between sensory and motor neuronal pathways. Meanwhile, the control of food intake and energy homeostasis is progressively established via the development of hypothalamic circuits. The development of these circuits is influenced by hormonal and nutritional signals and can be disturbed in a variety of developmental disorders leading to long-term metabolic, behavioral and cognitive dysfunctions. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the neuronal circuits involved in early postnatal feeding processes.

Anquiloglosia y problemas de succión, tratamiento multidisciplinar: terapia miofuncional orofacial, sesiones de lactancia materna y frenotomía / Ankyloglossia and breastfeeding problems, multidisciplinary management: Orofacial myofunctional therapy, breastfeeding sessions and frenotomy

Introducción. La limitación de la movilidad lingual en neonatos puede ocasionar problemas en la lactancia, entre ellos: dolor-grietas-mastitis en la madre, mal progreso de peso del neonato y duración excesivamente larga de las tomas. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar la efectividad de los tratamientos realizados en los pacientes con anquiloglosia y trastornos de succión. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo preliminar de la efectividad del circuito establecido entre los servicios de Cirugía Oral y Maxilofacial, Logopedia y Rehabilitación Orofacial y Lactancia Materna para el tratamiento de los pacientes que acuden con problemas de lactancia materna y se les diagnostica anquiloglosia. Resultados. Se trató a 61 pacientes de edades entre 0 y 6meses con anquiloglosia asociada a problemas clínicos relacionados con la lactancia: 20 niñas (32.8%) y 41 niños (67.2%). Se establecieron 3 grupos según el tratamiento realizado: grupo1 (n=6) únicamente las sesiones de lactancia materna (SLM), grupo2 (n=19) terapia miofuncional (TMF) y asesoramiento en SLM, y grupo3 (n=36) frenotomía y siguieron TMF y asesoramiento de SLM. La anquiloglosia tipoiii es el frenillo lingual más frecuente (57.4%). En el total de la muestra se observaron mejorías en los parámetros que valoran la efectividad y el confort de la lactancia materna. Conclusiones. Mejorar la succión es posible; se recomienda estimular la succión con terapia miofuncional antes y después de la frenotomía, y también en aquellos casos en los que no será necesaria la cirugía (AU)

Introduction. The limitation of lingual mobility in newborns can cause problems in lactation. Among these problems are, soreness, cracked nipples or mastitis in the mother, poor weight gain of the newborn, and an excessively prolonged period of time in each breastfeed. The aim of this study is evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment received by the newborns with breastfeeding problems and ankyloglossia. Material and methods. A preliminary study of the effectiveness of the circuit established between the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Speech Therapy and Orofacial Rehabilitation and the Breastfeeding Department to treat patients that attended the hospital with breastfeeding problems and were diagnosed with ankyloglossia. Results. A total of 61 patients with ages between 0 and 6 months had ankyloglossia were seen due to clinical problems related to breastfeeding. Of these, 20 (32.8%) were girls and 41 (67.2%) were boys. Three groups were established in accordance with the treatment carried out: group1 (n=6) solely from the Breastfeeding Sessions (BFS), group2 (n=19) Myofunctional Therapy (MFT) and BFS, and group3 (n=36) Frenotomy, followed by MFT and BFS. Ankyloglossia type3 was the most frequent lingual frenulum (57.4%). From the total sample, improvements were observed in the parameters that assessed the effectiveness and comfort of breastfeeding. Conclusions. Improving breastfeeding is possible, and in some cases, surgery should not be necessary. If surgery is required, it is recommended to stimulate suction before and after the frenotomy with myofunctional therapy (AU)

Feeding in the NICU: A Perspective from a Craniosacral Therapist.

Completing full feedings is a requirement for discharge for babies in the NICU. interaction between the nerves and the muscles of the jaw, tongue, and the soft palate is required for functional sucking and swallowing. Jaw misalignment, compressed nerves, and misshapen heads can interfere with these interactions and create feeding difficulties. craniosacral therapy (CST) is a noninvasive manual therapy that is perfect for the fragile population in the NICU. CST can be used as a treatment modality to release fascial restrictions that are affecting the structures involved in feeding, thereby improving feeding outcomes.

Electromyography of muscles involved in feeding premature infants / Avaliação eletromiográfica dos músculos envolvidos na alimentação de recém-nascidos prematuros

PURPOSE: To measure and compare the electrical activity of masseter, temporal, and suprahyoid muscles in premature newborn infants during breast-feeding and cup-feeding.METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study was carried out by the electromyographic assessment of 36 preterm infants, 53% of whom were male, with mean gestational age of 32 weeks and birth weight of 1,719 g, fed via oral route, by full breast-feeding and supplementation of diet, through cup with expressed breast milk, until 15 days after hospital discharge. Children with neurological disorders, genetic syndromes, oral-motor, and/or congenital malformations were excluded. The different methods of feeding and the variables gestational age at birth, corrected gestational age, chronological age, birth weight and size, head circumference, and Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were analyzed and compared by appropriate statistical analysis.RESULTS: No difference was observed between breast-feeding and cup-feeding in the analysis of the temporal and masseter muscles. However, higher activity of suprahyoid musculature was observed during cup-feeding (p=0.001). The other variables were not correlated with the electrical activity of the muscles during the different feeding methods.CONCLUSION: There may be a balance between the activity of the temporal and masseter muscles during breast-feeding and cup-feeding. There was higher activity of suprahyoid musculature during cup-feeding. This can be explained by the greater range of tongue movement, as premature infants usually perform tongue protrusion to get the milk from the cup.

OBJETIVOS: Mensurar e comparar a atividade elétrica dos músculos temporal, masseter e supra-hióideos de prematuros durante o aleitamento materno e por copo.MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal observacional, realizado por meio da avaliação eletromiográfica de superfície em 36 prematuros, 53% do gênero masculino, com idade gestacional média de 32 semanas e peso médio ao nascimento de 1.719 g, em aleitamento misto, com suplementação de dieta por copo, até 15 dias após a alta hospitalar. Crianças com alterações neurológicas, síndromes genéticas, malformações craniofaciais, que utilizaram mamadeira, chupeta e/ou bico intermediário de silicone foram excluídas. A atividade elétrica dos músculos temporal, masseter e supra-hióideos foi comparada nos diferentes tipos de alimentação, entre os gêneros e entre as classificações do Apgar no 1º e 5º minuto e correlacionadas às variáveis idade gestacional ao nascimento, idade corrigida, idade cronológica, peso ao nascimento, estatura e perímetro cefálico ao nascimento.RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença entre os métodos de alimentação avaliados quanto à atividade elétrica dos músculos temporal e masseter, no entanto verificou-se maior atividade da musculatura supra-hióidea durante a alimentação por copo (p=0,001). As demais variáveis não apresentaram correlação com a atividade elétrica dos músculos estudados durante os diferentes métodos de alimentação.CONCLUSÃO: Parece haver equilíbrio entre a atividade dos músculos temporal e masseter durante a alimentação ao seio materno e por copo. A musculatura supra-hióidea apresentou-se mais ativa no copo, o pode ser justificado pela maior amplitude de movimentação da língua, já que geralmente os RNPT realizam a protrusão da língua para obter o leite no copo.

Higher Fat Content in Breastmilk Expressed Manually: A Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of milk expression method (manual expression versus electric pump) on the composition of breastmilk. STUDY DESIGN: Data on 21 mothers of 21 newborns 48-72 hours postdelivery were collected and analyzed. The women were randomly assigned to express breastmilk manually followed by pump, or in reverse order. The fat, carbohydrate, and protein contents of the milk samples were analyzed using a human milk analyzer (Miris AB, Uppsala, Sweden). RESULTS: The fat and energy contents of milk obtained through manual expression were higher than those obtained by pump (p=0.024 and p=0.04, respectively, by the Wilcoxon signed rank test). There were no significant differences in protein or carbohydrate content of milk obtained by either method of expression. The difference in fat content between milk obtained by the two methods was not correlated with mother's age, delivery method, gestational age at delivery, parity, or the interval between delivery and the time the sampled milk was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: Manually expressed human milk had higher fat content than milk expressed by electric pump. We speculate that this difference is due to the presence of hindmilk in the manually expressed milk because the technique of massaging the breast during manual expression is more likely than the pump to eject hindmilk, which has been shown to have higher fat content than foremilk.

Pierre robin sequence in a neonate with suckling difficulty and weight loss.

Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) is a combination of micrognathia and glossoptosis that leads to airway obstruction, feeding problems, and potentially other sequelae that can complicate early life. Currently, therapy for these newborns and infants is focused on preventing fatality or complications until the jaw can grow sufficiently to correct airway obstruction and associated problems. For patients with mild PRS, treatments include conservative measures such as airway maintenance and a feeding tube. For more severe cases, a surgical procedure is necessary. To the authors' knowledge, the effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment of patients with PRS has not been reported in the literature. The current case describes the use of osteopathic manipulative treatment to help alleviate difficulties with breathing and latch and suckling in a 15-day-old newborn with PRS.

The effects of music therapy on vital signs, feeding, and sleep in premature infants.

OBJECTIVES: Recorded music risks overstimulation in NICUs. The live elements of music such as rhythm, breath, and parent-preferred lullabies may affect physiologic function (eg, heart and respiratory rates, O2 saturation levels, and activity levels) and developmental function (eg, sleep, feeding behavior, and weight gain) in premature infants. METHODS: A randomized clinical multisite trial of 272 premature infants aged ≥32 weeks with respiratory distress syndrome, clinical sepsis, and/or SGA (small for gestational age) served as their own controls in 11 NICUs. Infants received 3 interventions per week within a 2-week period, when data of physiologic and developmental domains were collected before, during, and after the interventions or no interventions and daily during a 2-week period. RESULTS: Three live music interventions showed changes in heart rate interactive with time. Lower heart rates occurred during the lullaby (P < .001) and rhythm intervention (P = .04). Sucking behavior showed differences with rhythm sound interventions (P = .03). Entrained breath sounds rendered lower heart rates after the intervention (P = .04) and differences in sleep patterns (P < .001). Caloric intake (P = .01) and sucking behavior (P = .02) were higher with parent-preferred lullabies. Music decreased parental stress perception (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The informed, intentional therapeutic use of live sound and parent-preferred lullabies applied by a certified music therapist can influence cardiac and respiratory function. Entrained with a premature infant's observed vital signs, sound and lullaby may improve feeding behaviors and sucking patterns and may increase prolonged periods of quiet-alert states. Parent-preferred lullabies, sung live, can enhance bonding, thus decreasing the stress parents associate with premature infant care.

The effects of giving pacifiers to premature infants and making them listen to lullabies on their transition period for total oral feeding and sucking success.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to assess the effect of giving pacifiers to premature infants and making them listen to lullabies on the transition period to total oral feeding, their sucking success and their vital signs (peak heart rate, respiration rate and oxygen saturation). BACKGROUND: It is very important that preterm infants start oral feeding as soon as possible to survive and get healthy quickly. Previous studies have shown that by using some external stimuli, premature babies can move to oral feeding at an earlier period than 34th gestational week, have increased daily weight gain and be discharged from hospital earlier. DESIGN: In this quasi-experimental and prospective study, 90 premature infants were studied with 30 premature infants allocated to each of pacifier, lullaby and control groups. METHOD: The research was conducted at a neonatal intensive care clinic and premature unit of a university hospital in the east of Turkey between December 2007-January 2009. The data were collected through demographic information form for premature infants, the LATCH Breastfeeding Charting System and patient monitoring. RESULTS: We found that the group who proceeded to the oral feeding in the shortest period was the pacifier group (p < 0·05), followed by the lullaby group and the control group, respectively (p > 0·05). We also found that the highest sucking success was achieved by infants in the pacifier group (p < 0·05) followed by the lullaby group (p > 0·05). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that giving pacifiers to premature infants and making them listen to lullabies has a positive effect on their transition period to oral feeding, their sucking success and vital signs (peak heart rate and oxygen saturation). RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Neonatal intensive care nurses can accelerate premature infants' transition to oral feeding and develop their sucking success by using the methods of giving them pacifiers and making them listen to lullabies during gavage feeding.

Influence of pre-orthodontic trainer treatment on the perioral and masticatory muscles in patients with Class II division 1 malocclusion.

The aim of this follow-up study was to evaluate the effects of Pre-Orthodontic Trainer (POT) appliance on the anterior temporal, mental, orbicularis oris, and masseter muscles through electromyography (EMG) evaluations in subjects with Class II division 1 malocclusion and incompetent lips. Twenty patients (mean age: 9.8 ± 2.2 years) with a Class II division 1 malocclusion were treated with POT (Myofunctional Research Co., Queensland, Australia). A group of 15 subjects (mean age: 9.2 ± 0.9 years) with untreated Class II division 1 malocclusions was used as a control. EMG recordings of treatment group were taken at the beginning and at the end of the POT therapy (mean treatment period: 7.43 ± 1.06 months). Follow-up records of the control group were taken after 8 months of the first records. Recordings were taken during different oral functions: clenching, sucking, and swallowing. Statistical analyses were undertaken with Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U-tests. During the POT treatment, activity of anterior temporal, mental, and masseter muscles was decreased and orbicularis oris activity was increased during clenching and these differences were found statistically significant when compared to control. Orbicularis oris activity during sucking was increased in the treatment group (P < 0.05). In the control group, significant changes were determined for anterior temporal (P < 0.05) and masseter (P < 0.01) muscle at clenching and orbicularis oris (P < 0.05) muscle at swallowing during observation period. Present findings indicated that treatment with POT appliance showed a positive influence on the masticatory and perioral musculature.

Oral and nonoral sensorimotor interventions facilitate suck-swallow-respiration functions and their coordination in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Preterm infants are at high risk of encountering oral feeding difficulties. Early sensorimotor interventions may improve oral feeding skills in preterm infants. AIM: To further explore the effects of an oral (O), tactile/kinesthetic (T/K), and combined (O+T/K) sensorimotor intervention on preterm infants' nutritive sucking, swallowing and their coordination with respiration. STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-five infants (29 [0.3, standard error of mean, SEM] weeks gestation, 49 males/26 females) were randomly assigned to an O group involving sensorimotor input to the oral structures; a T/K group involving sensorimotor input to the trunk and limbs; a combined (O+T/K) group; and a control group. OUTCOME MEASURES: Stage of sucking, suction and expression amplitudes (mmHg), suck-swallow ratio, stability of suck-swallow interval, and swallow-respiration patterns. RESULTS: The O group had significantly more advanced sucking stages, and greater suction and expression amplitudes than controls [p≤0.035, effect size (ES) >0.6]. The suck-swallow ratio and stability of suck-swallow intervals did not significantly differ among groups (p≥0.181, ES≤0.3). The three interventions led to fewer swallows bracketed by prolonged respiratory pauses compared to controls (pause-swallow-pause, p≤0.044, ES≥0.7). The T/K and combined (O+T/K) groups had greater occurrence of swallows bracketed by expiration than the control and O groups (expiration-swallow-expiration, p≤0.039, ES≥0.3). CONCLUSION: The O intervention enhanced specific components of nutritive sucking. All three interventions resulted in improved swallow-respiration coordination. Sensorimotor interventions have distributed beneficial effects that go beyond the specific target of input.

The effect of music reinforcement for non-nutritive sucking on nipple feeding of premature infants.

In this randomized, controlled multi-site study, the pacifier-activated-lullaby system (PAL) was used with 68 premature infants. Dependent variables were (a) total number of days prior to nipple feeding, (b) days of nipple feeding, (c) discharge weight, and (d) overall weight gain. Independent variables included contingent music reinforcement for non-nutritive sucking for PAL intervention at 32 vs. 34 vs. 36 weeks adjusted gestational age (AGA), with each age group subdivided into three trial conditions: control consisting of no PAL used vs. one 15-minute PAL trial vs. three 15-minute PAL trials. At 34 weeks, PAL trials significantly shortened gavage feeding length, and three trials were significantly better than one trial. At 32 weeks, PAL trials lengthened gavage feeding. Female infants learned to nipple feed significantly faster than male infants. It was noted that PAL babies went home sooner after beginning to nipple feed, a trend that was not statistically significant.

The effects of myofunctional appliance treatment on the perioral and masticatory muscles in Class II, Division 1 patients.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of a myofunctional appliance--the preorthodontic trainer (POT)--on the perioral and masticatory muscles by electromyography (EMG) in individuals with an Angle Class II, Division 1 malocclusion. METHODS: Twenty children were treated with a POT appliance, which had to be worn every day for 1 hour and overnight. The EMG recordings were made at the beginning and end of POT therapy during maximal clenching, swallowing, and sucking. For statistical evaluation, the Wilcoxon nonparametric test was used at the P<.05 level. RESULTS: During POT treatment, the EMG value for clenching of the anterior temporal muscle decreased significantly (P<.001). Also, for the mentalis muscle, the EMG value during clenching decreased significantly; for the orbicularis oris muscle, this was true for sucking (P<.05) and clenching (P<.01). For the masseter muscle, all EMG values were decreased during treatment but significantly only for clenching. CONCLUSION: During the 6 months of POT treatment, the perioral and masticatory muscles of Class II, Division 1 patients improved significantly.

Dysphagia and nutrition problems in infants with apert syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the nature of dysphagia and nutrition difficulties in infants with Apert syndrome. DESIGN: The study comprised a review of the medical, nutrition, and feeding records of 13 consecutive infants still feeding by the bottle who had been referred to the Craniofacial Unit and analyses of swallow function from videofluoroscopic swallow investigations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures included qualitative analyses of bottle-feeding and nutritional status and quantitative functional severity ratings of dysphagia based on videofluoroscopic swallow investigations using the O'Neil et al. (1999) Dysphagia Outcome Severity Scale. RESULTS: The main qualitative descriptors of oral feeding in this cohort included uncoordinated suck-swallow-breathe patterns, inability to maintain sucking bursts, and changes in respiratory patterns as the feed progressed. Videofluoroscopic evaluations (N = 7) showed silent laryngeal penetration or aspiration in more than half of the cohort. Failure to thrive was a frequent occurrence seen in seven infants, and 9 of the 10 required dietetic intervention and enteral supplements. (Nutritional records were not located for three infants.) CONCLUSIONS: In view of the small sample size and retrospective nature of the study, the results need to be interpreted with caution. However, the study adds to current limited knowledge on feeding and nutrition in Apert syndrome. Further prospective multidisciplinary and objective research is clearly warranted.

Two-step stimulation of intestinal Ca(2+) absorption during lactation by long-term prolactin exposure and suckling-induced prolactin surge.

During pregnancy and lactation, the enhanced intestinal Ca(2+) absorption serves to provide Ca(2+) for fetal development and lactogenesis; however, the responsible hormone and its mechanisms remain elusive. We elucidated herein that prolactin (PRL) markedly stimulated the transcellular and paracellular Ca(2+) transport in the duodenum of pregnant and lactating rats as well as in Caco-2 monolayer in a two-step manner. Specifically, a long-term exposure to PRL in pregnancy and lactation induced an adaptation in duodenal cells at genomic levels by upregulating the expression of genes related to transcellular transport, e.g., TRPV5/6 and calbindin-D(9k), and the paracellular transport, e.g., claudin-3, thereby raising Ca(2+) absorption rate to a new "baseline" (Step 1). During suckling, PRL surge further increased Ca(2+) absorption to a higher level (Step 2) in a nongenomic manner to match Ca(2+) loss in milk. PRL-enhanced apical Ca(2+) uptake was responsible for the increased transcellular transport, whereas PRL-enhanced paracellular transport required claudin-15, which regulated epithelial cation selectivity and paracellular Ca(2+) movement. Such nongenomic PRL actions were mediated by phosphoinositide 3-kinase, protein kinase C, and RhoA-associated coiled-coil-forming kinase pathways. In conclusion, two-step stimulation of intestinal Ca(2+) absorption resulted from long-term PRL exposure, which upregulated Ca(2+) transporter genes to elevate the transport baseline, and the suckling-induced transient PRL surge, which further increased Ca(2+) transport to the maximal capacity. The present findings also suggested that Ca(2+) supplementation at 15-30 min prior to breastfeeding may best benefit the lactating mother, since more Ca(2+) could be absorbed as a result of the suckling-induced PRL surge.

Oral-motor dysfunction at 10 months corrected gestational age in infants born less than 37 weeks preterm.

Feeding difficulties are common in preterm infants. These may be associated with inadequate dietary intake, poor growth, and parental anxiety. Oral-motor dysfunction has been observed in preterm infants during sucking and the early stages of weaning but has not been rigorously studied in later infancy when eating a range of food consistencies. We aimed to establish if oral-motor dysfunction during feeding occurs in preterm infants in later infancy and to explore the relationships with specific neonatal risk factors: gestational age at birth, prolonged supplementary oxygen requirement, and delay in establishing full oral feeding. Infants born less than 37 weeks gestational age were evaluated once at 10 months corrected gestational age using a validated feeding assessment (Schedule for Oral Motor Assessment). Fifteen infants were enrolled (9 males, 6 females; median gestational age at birth = 33 weeks, range = 25-36 weeks; median birth weight = 1890 g, range = 710-2950 g). Oral-motor dysfunction was observed in three infants all born after 31 weeks gestation. No relationship was found with the neonatal risk factors. This study indicates that oral-motor dysfunction may occur in later infancy and is not easily predicted from specific neonatal risk factors. Further study is required to evaluate the true prevalence and the health implications of oral-motor dysfunction in this population in later infancy.