Objective To explore the trends and developmental trajectories of oral feeding progress in high-risk preterm infants, as well as to analyze its influencing factors.

Methods A total of 146 high-risk preterm infants were selected as the study subjects. The oral feeding progress curves were determined based on the postmenstrual ages at which the high-risk preterm infants reached three key stages during oral feeding (initiation of oral feeding, initial half-volume oral feeding, and full oral feeding). The feeding progress trajectories were fitted using group-based trajectory modeling. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was employed to screen for the influencing factors of different feeding progress trajectories.

Results A total of 146 high-risk preterm infants were included, and three trajectories were fitted: early initiation-slow progress (29.45%), mid-term initiation-rapid progress (48.63%), and delayed initiation-sluggish progress (21.92%). The initiation time of oral feeding, feeding method, surgery, colostrum oral smearing, duration of tube feeding and duration of mechanical ventilation were identified as influencing factors for the oral feeding progress trajectories in high-risk preterm infants.

Conclusion The oral feeding progress trajectories in high-risk preterm infants can be categorized into three types: early initiation-slow progress, mid-term initiation-rapid progress, and delayed initiation-sluggish progress. Medical staff should develop individualized feeding management plans based on the influencing factors of feeding progress and intervene in infants with potential delays in oral feeding progress.