The Association of Tube Weaning and Oral Skill Development in Infants With Tube Dependency: A Prospective Study.

Objective: This study was the first of its kind by assessing oral skills development during and after applying the "Graz Model" of tube weaning.

Methods: This prospective case series study included data of 67 (35 females, 32 males, treated from March 2018 to April 2019) tube dependent children, who participated in the effective "Graz Model" of tube weaning. Parents filled out the standardized Pediatric Assessment Scale for Severe Feeding Problems (PASSFP) prior to and immediately after completion of the program. Paired sample t tests were conducted to examine pre-to-post changes in the children's oral skills.

Results: The study showed that oral skills increased significantly during tube weaning PASSFP score of 24.76 (standard deviation, SD = 12.38) prior to versus 47.97 (SD = 6.98) after completion of the program. Furthermore, significant changes in their sensory and tactile perception and in their general eating behavior were observed. Children also showed reduced oral aversion symptoms and food pocketing, could enjoy their meals, and increased their food repertoire. Mealtime duration could be decreased, and parents were less anxious about their infants' intake and less frustrated because of their children's eating behavior.

Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated for the first time that tube dependent children can improve their oral skills significantly during and after their participation in the child-led approach of the "Graz model" of tube weaning.