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Early introduction of complementary foods in preterm infants

Susan Braid1, Elizabeth M Harvey, Jenny Bernstein

  • 1*University of Maryland School of Nursing †Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University ‡Prevention and Research Center, Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore, MD §Division of Neonatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|January 8, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Preterm infants are significantly more likely to start solid foods early compared to term infants. Predictors for early solid food introduction differ between these groups, highlighting a need for specific infant feeding guidelines.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
  • Infant Nutrition

Background:

  • Early introduction of solid foods is a critical aspect of infant nutrition.
  • Understanding feeding practices in preterm infants is essential due to their unique developmental needs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the odds of early solid food introduction in preterm infants compared to term infants.
  • To examine if the factors associated with early introduction differ between preterm and term infants.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from a nationally representative sample (n=7650) from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort.
  • Employed multivariable logistic regression to compare early solid food introduction (before 4 months) between preterm and term infants.
  • Conducted separate analyses to identify predictors of early introduction in preterm versus term infants.

Main Results:

  • Preterm infants (22-32 weeks gestation) had 9.90 times higher odds of early solid food introduction compared to term infants.
  • Infants born at 33-36 weeks gestation had 6.19 times higher odds of early introduction.
  • Race/ethnicity and maternal smoking were the only consistent predictors for both groups; other factors differed.

Conclusions:

  • Preterm infants face a significantly higher likelihood of early complementary feeding.
  • The factors influencing early solid food introduction are distinct in preterm infants.
  • Development of specific feeding guidelines for preterm infants and further research into their unique predictors are recommended.
Abstract

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