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Author Spotlight: Implications of Non-Nutritive Sucking on Speech Emergence and Infant Development
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Early feeding behaviours of extremely preterm infants predict neurodevelopmental outcomes

Shie Rinat1, Margot Mackay2, Anne Synnes3

  • 1Graduate Programs in Rehabilitation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

Early Human Development
|August 27, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Early feeding difficulties in extremely preterm infants predict later motor impairments, including Developmental Coordination Disorder and major neurodevelopmental disorder. Identifying these feeding issues is crucial for early intervention and improved childhood outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Neuroscience
  • Occupational Therapy

Background:

  • Infants born extremely preterm (<28 weeks gestational age) face significant risks for early feeding challenges and long-term neurodevelopmental deficits.
  • Feeding is a complex motor skill, and its early development may serve as an indicator for later neuromotor function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between the feeding behaviors of extremely preterm infants at 4 months corrected age (CA).
  • To determine if these early feeding behaviors predict neurodevelopmental outcomes at 4-5 years of age.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cohort study utilized prospectively collected data from 412 extremely preterm infants (mean gestational age 25.4 weeks).
  • Oral feeding was assessed at 4 months CA by an occupational therapist, categorizing infants into 'feeding difficulties' (poor suck-swallow) or no difficulties.
  • Motor outcomes at 4-5 years were evaluated using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC), classifying children into typical motor development (TMD), Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), or major neurodevelopmental disorder (MND).

Main Results:

  • Feeding behavior at 4 months CA was a significant predictor of DCD (OR=2.95) and MND (OR=3.67) at 4-5 years, even after adjusting for confounders.
  • Infants exhibiting feeding difficulties at 4 months CA were substantially more likely to be diagnosed with DCD (40%) or MND (36%) later in childhood compared to peers without feeding issues.

Conclusions:

  • Early feeding behaviors in extremely preterm infants are strong predictors of subsequent motor development.
  • Identifying infants with feeding difficulties at 4 months CA is essential for recognizing high risk for poor motor outcomes.
  • Early screening and intervention for feeding difficulties in this population can lead to improved long-term neurodevelopmental and motor function.
Abstract

Keywords:
Developmental coordination disorderExtremely prematureInfant feedingMotor skills disorderNeurodevelopment

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