Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 23, 2026
Non-Nutritive Suck Parameters Measurements Using a Custom Pressure Transducer System
Published on: April 19, 2024
The complexity of feeding problems in 700 infants and young children presenting to a tertiary care institution
Nathalie Rommel1, Anne-Marie De Meyer, Louw Feenstra
1Department of Ear-Nose-Throat, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium. nathalierommel@hotmail.com
Insights
Severe pediatric feeding problems often stem from combined medical and oral issues, particularly in preterm infants. Early assessment by a multidisciplinary team is crucial for effective management of these complex feeding disorders.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Clinical Nutrition
Background:
- Feeding problems are prevalent in infants and young children, necessitating a comprehensive approach.
- Quantitative data on multidisciplinary feeding assessments for children are limited.
- Understanding the etiology of severe feeding difficulties is critical for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the causes of severe feeding difficulties in 700 children.
- To differentiate feeding problems into medical, oral, and behavioral categories.
- To assess the prevalence of prematurity and dysmaturity and their link to feeding issues.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of clinical data from 700 children under 10 years old with severe feeding problems.
- Categorization of feeding difficulties into medical, oral, and behavioral etiologies.
- Evaluation of prematurity and dysmaturity in relation to feeding problem types.
Main Results:
- Nearly 50% of children presented with combined medical and oral conditions.
- Gastrointestinal issues, especially gastroesophageal reflux disease, were common.
- Oral sensory feeding problems correlated with prior medical interventions.
- Children with feeding disorders had lower birth weight for gestational age; preterm infants were overrepresented.
Conclusions:
- A multidisciplinary team approach is vital due to the frequent co-occurrence of medical and oral feeding problems.
- Age significantly influences the type of feeding problem observed.
- Preterm infants and those with low birth weight for gestational age face a higher risk of feeding disorders.
Background:
Feeding problems are common in infants and young children. A multidisciplinary team approach contributes to better patient care. However, few quantitative data on multidisciplinary feeding assessment of children have been published. OBJECTIVES The first aim of this study was to characterize the etiology of feeding difficulties in 700 children referred for assessment of severe feeding difficulty. The authors differentiated medical, oral, and behavioral categories. The second aim was to assess the prevalence of prematurity and dysmaturity in the patients and their relationship to the type of feeding problem.
Methods:
Clinical data from 700 children aged less than 10 years who were examined for severe feeding problems were analyzed.
Results:
Close to 50% of the children had a combined medical and oral condition underlying their feeding difficulties. More than half of the children were examined for gastrointestinal conditions, particularly gastroesophageal reflux disease. Behavioral problems were more frequently seen in children aged more than 2 years. The results indicate that oral sensory-based feeding problems are related to past medical intervention. Children with feeding disorders had a significantly lower birthweight for gestational age. Preterm babies were overrepresented in this population.
Conclusions:
A multidisciplinary team approach is essential for assessment and management because combined medical and oral problems are the most frequent cause of pediatric feeding problems. A significant relationship was found between the type of feeding problem and age. Infants born preterm and/or with a birthweight below the tenth percentile for gestational age are at greater risk for developing feeding disorders.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube through...
01:26Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding
Orogastric (OG) and nasogastric (NG) feeding are two standard methods used for enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is often preferred over...
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
01:27Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
01:26Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...