Relationship between feeding difficulties, medical complexity, and gestational age

Abstract

Background: This study examined feeding skills differences in medically complex children born prematurely and full term and sought to determine whether later feeding difficulties within this medically complicated sample were related to medical factors or factors related to preterm status.

Methods: A total of 143 pediatric patients referred to an outpatient clinic for feeding, nutrition, or growth problems were compared by their gestational age at birth across a variety of dependent variables related to feeding development and behaviors.

Results: Full-term and preterm children did not demonstrate significant differences in feeding difficulties at first oral feeding. By the time of introduction to solid (cereal) feeding, however, preterm children more often continued to demonstrate difficulty than full-term children. Regression analyses indicated that medical factors, primarily the need for breathing assistance, accounted for more of the variance than prematurity alone.

Conclusions: Medically complex children, especially those with an early need for respiratory support, will benefit from ongoing oral-motor feeding intervention.