Efficacy of Paladai versus Cup for Feeding of preterm Babies - A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Introduction: The ideal way for infants to receive breast milk is through suckling at the breast. The different ways the neonates can receive supplemental milk are, paladai, cup, syringe, nasogastric tube. Studies have shown cup feeding is better. We routinely use paladai for feeding the preterm infants. Hence we studied the effect of paladai Vs cup on the efficacy of feeding. Methodology: This was a Randomized controlled trial. Neonates were recruited based on inclusion criteria after the parental consent and randomly allocated to paladai or cup feed group. The intervention was given for total of 5 days. Duration of each feed, weight gain and vitals was monitored during the feed. Statistical Considerations Data was presented as Mean (SD) and Median for uniform and not uniform distribution respectively. Independent t test for normal distribututed groups or Mann- whitney U test for non-uniform groups. Categorical variables were analysed by Chi - square test. All statistical analysis was considered significant at 5% level. Results: There were 17 neonates in each group(n=34).The median daily weight gain in paladai and cup feed was +8 gms, (IQR- 1.42 -20)and+21.66gms(IQR-11.75-25) respectively with P = 0.05. The median time to reach required volume of feed was 24.38 mins (IQR-8.44-38.85) and 6.84 mins (IQR- 1.43-16.14) in paladai and cup feed groups respectively with P=0.005.The oxygen saturation in the paladai and cup feeding was in (%) 94.29 ± 3.91 and 95.05± 2.77 respectively with P=<0.001 Conclusion: Cup feeding is better than paladai for feeding of Preterm Stable Neonates. Babies are more stable during cup feeding.