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Oromotor Feeding in Children Born Before 30 Weeks' Gestation and Term-Born Peers at 12 Months' Corrected Age
Katherine Sanchez1, Alicia J Spittle2, Justine M Slattery3
1Clinical Sciences, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Australia; Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
Insights
Very preterm infants show higher rates of oromotor feeding difficulties by 12 months corrected age. Neonatal surgery is a key predictor of these feeding challenges in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Infants born before 30 weeks' gestational age (very preterm) often experience developmental challenges.
- Oromotor feeding skills are crucial for infant growth and development, with difficulties impacting long-term health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare oromotor feeding at 12 months corrected age between very preterm and term-born infants.
- To identify predictors of oromotor feeding difficulties in very preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Observational assessment using the Schedule for Oral Motor Assessment at 12 months corrected age.
- Comparison of feeding outcomes between 90 very preterm infants and 137 term-born infants.
- Analysis of factors including gestational age, birth weight, social risk, and history of medical interventions as potential predictors.
Main Results:
- 38% of very preterm infants exhibited oromotor feeding difficulties, significantly higher than term-born peers (OR 2.21).
- Difficulties were noted with various food textures and specific oromotor skills like lip/jaw movement and swallowing.
- Neonatal surgery emerged as the sole significant predictor of feeding difficulties (OR 11.66).
Conclusions:
- Very preterm infants have increased odds of oromotor feeding problems at 12 months corrected age.
- Neonatal surgery is strongly associated with feeding difficulties in this population.
- Early surveillance and support for oromotor feeding are essential for very preterm infants, especially during the introduction of solid foods.
Objectives:
To evaluate oromotor feeding at 12 months' corrected age in children born before 30 weeks' gestational age compared with term-born peers by the use of observational assessment and to examine predictors of oromotor feeding difficulties in children born before 30 weeks.
Study Design:
Oromotor feeding was assessed at 12 months' corrected age with the Schedule for Oral Motor Assessment in 90 children born before 30 weeks and 137 term-born children. Feeding outcomes were compared between groups. Sex, gestational age at birth, birth weight, social risk, history of tube feeding, surgery, and respiratory support were analyzed as potential risk factors.
Results:
At 12 months' corrected age, 38% of children born before 30 weeks had oromotor feeding difficulties-with greater odds of difficulties than term-born participants (OR 2.21; 95% CI 1.55-3.16). Difficulties were observed with specific food textures (purees, solids, crackers) and areas of oromotor skill (lip and jaw movement, food loss, swallowing). Neonatal surgery (n = 4/89) appeared to be the only predictor of oromotor feeding issues (OR 11.66; 95% CI 1.56-87.23; P = .02).
Conclusions:
Children born before 30 weeks presented with greater odds of oromotor feeding problems at 12 months' corrected age than their term-born peers. Neonatal surgery was associated with increased odds of feeding difficulties in children born before 30 weeks. Surveillance and support of oromotor feeding skills for very preterm children is indicated, particularly during their transition to solid foods.
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