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Prevalence of Parent-Reported Problematic Eating Behaviors and Skills at 8-24 Months of Age in Infants Born at Less
Britt F Pados1, Grace Briceno2, Victoria Feaster3
1Infant Feeding Care, Wellesley, MA.
Insights
Problematic feeding behaviors and eating skills are common in preterm infants, affecting 43-44% of those born before 34 weeks. Early monitoring and intervention are crucial for these high-risk infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Neonatal Development
- Feeding Disorders
Background:
- Infants born preterm (before 34 weeks) often face challenges with feeding development.
- Understanding the trajectory of feeding issues in this population is essential for timely support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the prevalence and evolution of problematic feeding behaviors and eating skills in infants born preterm.
- To explore the impact of these feeding issues on parents and families.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal online survey of 35 parents of infants born before 34 weeks.
- Utilized validated tools: Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool (PediEAT), Child Oral and Motor Proficiency Scale (ChOMPS), and Feeding Impact Scales.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of problematic feeding behaviors decreased from 63% at 8 months to 29% at 24 months.
- Problematic eating skills affected 30-56% of infants between 8-24 months.
- Feeding issues significantly impacted parents and families, particularly at 10 and 24 months.
Conclusions:
- Overall prevalence of problematic feeding in preterm infants was 43-44% in the first two years.
- Preterm infants are at elevated risk; close monitoring and referrals are recommended.
- Developing preventative strategies in neonatal intensive care units is critical.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to describe the evolution and prevalence of parent-reported problematic feeding behaviors and eating skills in infants born prior to 34 weeks at the time of eating solid foods between 8 and 24 months of age, and to explore the associations between problematic feeding and the impact on the parent and family.
Method:
Parents of eligible children (N = 35) completed an online survey when their child was 8, 10, 12, 18, and 24 months corrected age. The survey included the Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool (PediEAT), Child Oral and Motor Proficiency Scale (ChOMPS), and the Feeding Impact Scales-Family and Parent.
Results:
The prevalence of problematic feeding behaviors, as measured by the PediEAT, decreased from 63% at 8 months to 29% at 24 months. The prevalence of problematic eating skills, as measured by the ChOMPS, ranged from 30% to 56% between 8 and 24 months, with the highest prevalence between 10 and 18 months. The impact of feeding on the family and parent, as measured by the Feeding Impact Scales, was higher in families of children with problematic feeding than those without problematic feeding; however, given the small sample size, this was only statistically significant at 10 and 24 months.
Conclusions:
The prevalence of problematic feeding in this population of infants under 34 weeks was 43%-44% over the first 2 years of life. Infants born preterm should be considered at elevated risk for problematic feeding and monitored closely with timely referrals. Identifying prevention strategies in the neonatal intensive care unit will be critical.
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