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Early feeding problems in an affluent society. III. Follow-up at two years: natural course, health, behaviour and
1Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Insights
Children with early feeding difficulties often experience persistent problems, including infections and behavioral issues, up to age two. These later issues are linked to the severity of the initial feeding challenges.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Child Development
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Early feeding difficulties in infants can be complex and lack clear medical causes.
- Understanding the long-term implications of these feeding issues is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the natural progression and prevalence of later problems in children experiencing early feeding difficulties.
- To identify potential correlations between persistent feeding problems and subsequent health or developmental outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study followed 42 children with unexplained early feeding problems until age two.
- Data collection involved parental interviews, medical record reviews, and psychomotor development assessments.
- A control group of 42 age- and sex-matched children was used for comparison.
Main Results:
- Fifty percent (21/42) of children with early feeding problems continued to experience them at age two.
- Children with early feeding problems showed significantly higher rates of infections and behavioral problems compared to controls.
- No significant differences in psychomotor development were observed between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Early feeding difficulties predict persistent problems, including recurrent infections and behavioral issues, into early childhood.
- Severe persistent feeding problems at age two are associated with increased risks of recurrent infections, behavioral, and psychosocial problems.
- While psychomotor development may not be immediately affected, the long-term impact of feeding difficulties warrants attention.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the natural course of later problems and their prevalence in children with early feeding difficulties. Forty-two children with feeding problems without any obvious medical reason during the first year of life were followed up prospectively to the age of two years. Comparisons were made with 42 age- and sex-matched controls. Information was obtained from parental interviews, medical records and assessments of psychomotor development. In 21 (50%) of the children with feeding problems the problems persisted at the age of two years. There were significantly higher frequencies of infections and behavioural problems among the children with early feeding problems than among the controls. No differences in psychomotor development were found. Recurrent infections, behaviour problems and psycho-social problems were significantly correlated with severe persistent feeding problems at the age of two years.