Ultrasound measurements of abdominal muscle thickness are associated with postmenstrual age at full oral feedings in preterm infants: A preliminary study.
Emily M NagelMarie HickeyLevi M TeigenAdam KuchniaHolly SchifskyTara HolmCarrie P EarthmanEllen DemerathSara E RamelPublished in: Nutrition in clinical practice : official publication of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (2021)
Preliminary results suggest infants with greater abdominal muscle thickness may reach full oral feedings at an earlier PMA (nearly 1 week per millimeter). Thus, ultrasound measurements of abdominal muscle thickness may be helpful in assessing readiness for discharge in healthy preterm infants. Further research is needed for development and validation of a prediction equation.