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Trajectory of Infant Problematic Feeding Symptoms: Study Protocol
Insights
This study tracks feeding problems in at-risk infants from neonatal intensive care through 24 months. Understanding these feeding disorders is key for early intervention and better child development.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Pediatric Feeding Disorders
Background:
- Infants with developmental risks often experience feeding problems, potentially leading to chronic feeding disorders.
- Early identification and understanding of feeding disorder progression are crucial for effective management and intervention.
- The family feeding environment significantly impacts a child's feeding development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize problematic feeding symptoms and their trajectories from neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge through 24 months of age.
- To determine the relationship between infant biological function at discharge and feeding symptom characteristics.
- To describe the child's feeding environment and its impact on feeding symptoms and outcomes, including growth and neurodevelopment.
Main Methods:
- The New Through Two (NewThru2) study is a prospective, longitudinal, mixed-method design following over 200 high-risk infants.
- Feeding symptoms are assessed via clinical observation, medical records, and parent reports.
- Biological function, feeding environment, and child outcomes (growth, neurodevelopment) are measured using various methods, including parent interviews.
Main Results:
- The study protocol is established for tracking feeding issues in high-risk infants.
- Data collection methods are defined for assessing feeding symptoms, biological function, and environmental factors.
- The study aims to link feeding behaviors to growth and developmental outcomes.
Conclusions:
- This research will enhance the understanding of pediatric feeding disorders in vulnerable infants.
- Findings will inform the development of targeted interventions for infants at risk for developmental delays.
- Improved insights into feeding disorders support critical nutritional needs during sensitive developmental periods.
Background:
Infants with developmental risk factors are more likely to have feeding problems and develop chronic feeding disorders. Early detection and understanding of the progression of problematic feeding and its relationship with a child's biological functioning and the family feeding environment will enhance effective symptom management and development of interventions to prevent pediatric feeding disorders.
Objectives:
The New Through Two (NewThru2) feeding study protocol is described. Study aims are to (a) characterize symptoms of problematic feeding and trajectories of symptoms from predischarge from neonatal intensive care through 24 months of age, (b) determine the relationship of child biological function at discharge with symptom characteristics and trajectories, (c) describe the child's feeding environment and its relationship to symptoms from discharge through 24 months, and (d) determine the relationship between problematic feeding symptoms and growth and developmental outcomes.
Methods:
NewThru2 is a prospective, longitudinal, mixed-method study following over 200 infants who received care in a neonatal intensive care unit and were identified as at risk for compromised development. The study follows enrolled infants through 24 months of age. Symptoms of problematic feeding are measured predischarge by clinical observation and medical record review and postdischarge by parent report. Biological function is measured by medical history and cardiorespiratory and autonomic nervous system function during feeding prior to discharge. Child feeding environment is measured by strategies parents use to manage feeding, the effect of feeding on the parent and family, and the use of feeding services. A subset of parents is interviewed to achieve a contextual understanding of the family feeding environment. Child outcome measures include parent-reported feeding skills and clinician-reported growth and neurodevelopment.
Discussion:
The results of this study will improve understanding of pediatric feeding disorders during a time of development sensitive to adequate nutrition and with infants at risk for developmental delays or impairments.
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