Premature Infant Oral Motor Intervention vs. Pacifier for Oral Feeding Transition in Preterm Infants

This study compares three approaches to help premature babies learn to feed by mouth: a special mouth exercise program (called PIOMI), using a pacifier, and standard care. Premature babies often have difficulty feeding because their sucking, swallowing, and breathing are not yet coordinated, which can lead to longer hospital stays. The study will include 150 premature infants born between 26 and 32 weeks of pregnancy at a hospital in Thi Qar. Babies will be randomly placed into one of three groups: one group will receive a many-day mouth exercise program, another will use a pacifier for many days, and the third will receive routine care. We will measure how quickly each baby learns to feed fully by mouth, how long they stay in the hospital, how much weight they gain, and their feeding skills. The results may help improve care for premature babies and reduce the time they spend in the hospital.

NCT Number	NCT07460089
Lead Sponsor	University of Baghdad
Conditions	Feeding Difficulties, Sucking Behavior, Premature
Enrollment	150 participants
Start Date	2026-03-10
Primary Completion	2026-04-20 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-05-30 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-03-10