OPTIMIZATION OF FEEDING OF PREMATURE INFANTS WITH PERINATAL PATHOLOGY: POSSIBILITIES OF EARLY INTERVENTION

One of the most important tasks of practical neonatology is the organization of feeding of premature infants. Complete and sufficient nutrition allows maximally stimulating plastic processes in the body of a premature child, which is extremely important for the developing immature, hypersensitive nervous system. For premature patients, the establishment of effective enteral feeding presents significant difficulties. The absence or rapid exhaustion of the sucking reflex, prolonged tube feeding and difficulties with the transition to feeding from a nipple - represent a range of problems for a neonatologist providing assistance in nursing a premature infant. The effectiveness of feeding depends primarily on the control of the oral muscles, synchronization of movements of the orofacial region and the respiratory system. Progressive experience of early intervention in providing early assistance to premature infants uses methods of stimulating the sucking reflex, non-nutritive (non-nutritive) feeding and orofacial massage techniques in order to ensure a complete feeding process in premature infants