Oral and non-oral sensorimotor stimulation in preterm infants: bibliographic review

Prematurity is very common in children's hospital environment. Performing speech therapy in hospitals attending preterm neonates has becomingan essential proposal to detect deglutition-related disorders, providing resources to neonates which use alternative via of feeding, due to their organic immaturity. Techniques for oral sensorimotor system maturation have been explored, so the preterm neonate develops the transition to a full oral feeding safer and in shorter time. The aim of this study is to carry out a systematic review of national and international literature reporting different techniques and elucidate about their effectiveness, regarding the oral sensorimotor system maturation of preterm neonates that remained in hospitalized. According to literature, the most current technique used in Brazil is the non-nutritive sucking in gloved finger or orthodontic pacifier. Other countries recorded the technique of non-nutritivesucking in pacifiers followed by oral sensorimotor stimulation as the most current approaching. Both techniques have been positively reflecting on neonates' oral function development. Regarding the need of exclusive breastfeeding promotion, recent publications highlighted a concerning percentage of synthetic nipples usage for stimulation in neonatal intensive care units.