乳児の吸啜時における蠕動様運動の力学的特徴について

抄録

The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamic characteristics of proper sucking in infants. We measured the contact force between the tongue and artificial nipples in infants able to breastfeed directly from the mother’s nipple (Group A) and infants who are fed using bottles or tubes (Group B). In both groups, we observed that the measured output waveforms were periodic and that the force from the sensor installed at the base of the nipple (Fmax₂) was greater than that at the tip of the nipple (Fmax₁). However, a smaller ratio between the two measured forces (Fmax₂ / Fmax₁) was observed in Group B. Furthermore, the difference between the time when the output from the sensor at the tip of the nipple reached its maximum value and the time at which the output of the sensor at the base of the nipple reached its maximum value was smaller in Group B, with some subjects in this group showing values below or close to zero. A separation boundary line was estimated based on the measured values of force. By improving the accuracy of the classification formula, it may be used to assess sucking ability of infants.