Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 17, 2026
Adapting Human Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Methods to Detect and Characterize Dysphagia in Murine Disease Models
Published on: March 1, 2015
Neuropredictors of oromotor feeding impairment in 12month-old children
Katherine Sanchez1, Angela T Morgan2, Justine M Slattery3
1Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
Insights
Neurobehavioral assessments and brain MRI at term can predict oromotor feeding difficulties in infants. These findings help identify infants at higher risk for feeding impairment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neonatal Neuroimaging
Background:
- Feeding impairment is common in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Neuroimaging and neurobehavioral outcomes at birth can predict neuromotor issues, but their link to feeding impairment is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if neurobehavior and brain MRI at term predict oromotor feeding at 12 months in preterm and term-born infants.
- To identify early predictors of feeding difficulties in infants.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 248 infants (97 preterm, 151 term-born).
- Neurobehavioral assessments (General Movements, Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale) and brain MRI were performed at term-equivalent age.
- Oromotor feeding was assessed at 12 months corrected age using the Schedule for Oral Motor Assessment.
Main Results:
- 49/227 children (21.6%) exhibited oromotor feeding impairment.
- Suboptimal neurobehavioral scores (NNNS stress, reflexes, arousal; HNNE total, reflexes, tone; abnormal GMA) and smaller biparietal diameter at term were associated with feeding impairment.
- Relationships between neurobehavior and feeding impairment were similar across preterm and term-born groups.
Conclusions:
- Infant neurobehavior and biparietal diameter at term are associated with oromotor feeding outcomes at 12 months.
- These findings can help identify infants at high risk for oromotor feeding impairment, enabling early intervention.
Background:
Feeding impairment is prevalent in children with neurodevelopmental issues. Neuroimaging and neurobehavioral outcomes at term are predictive of later neuromotor impairment, but it is unknown whether they predict feeding impairment.
Aims:
To determine whether neurobehavior and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at term predict oromotor feeding at 12 months in preterm and term-born children.
Study Design:
Prospective cohort study.
Subjects:
248 infants (97 born <30 weeks and 151 born at term) recruited at birth.
Outcome Measures:
Neurobehavioral assessments (General Movements (GMA), Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS)); and brain MRI were administered at term-equivalent age. Oromotor feeding was assessed at 12 months corrected age using the Schedule for Oral Motor Assessment.
Results:
49/227 children had oromotor feeding impairment. Neurobehavior associated with later feeding impairment was: suboptimal NNNS stress (odds ratio [OR] 2.68; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20–6.01), non-optimal reflexes (OR 3.33; 95% CI 1.37–8.11) and arousal scales (OR 2.54; 95% CI 1.03–6.27); suboptimal HNNE total (OR 4.69; 95% CI 2.20–10.00), reflexes (OR 2.62; 95% CI 1.06–6.49), and tone scores (OR 3.87; 95% CI 1.45–10.35); and abnormal GMA (OR 2.60; 95% CI 1.21–5.57). Smaller biparietal diameter also predicted feeding impairment (OR 0.88; 95% CI 0.79–0.97). There was little evidence that relationships differed between birth groups.
Conclusions:
Neurobehavior and biparietal diameter at term are associated with oromotor feeding at 12 months. These results may identify children at greatest risk of oromotor feeding impairment.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Early Reflexes During Infancy
01:23Vision During Infancy and Toddlerhood
01:30Motor Skills Development During Early Childhood