Feeding challenges in early infancy: the role of reflexes, muscle tone, and developmental milestones

Problems with feeding are widespread in pre-term infants, but they also occur in full-term infants. Feeding skill is the first coordinated function a child acquires, providing him with nutrients and sensory stimulation needed for further proper development. The aim of the retrospective observational case-control study was to observe factors that may influence feeding problems in infants aged 0-3 months. The observed factors included the presence of oral reflexes, the differences in muscle tension, the advancement of motor development, the spontaneous movements, as well as the gestational age, and the pH value of the umbilical cord arterial.

The study involved 60 infants. The study and the control groups included 30 infants each. Feeding problems were the major inclusion criteria for the study group. The infants' reflexes were checked, the muscle tone was palpated, the presence of general movements was visually assessed using Prechtl's method, then the Sensitivity Assessment of the Stomatognathic Complex (SOWKUT) questionnaire and Albert Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) scale were evaluated. Through the perinatal interview with the patient's parent, information regarding the pH of the umbilical cord arterial value was obtained.

The study involved 60 infants born between 24 and 41 gestational age (median and standard deviation: 35 ± 4.81). At the time of the study, their postconceptual age was 44 ± 7 weeks. The results showed that infants with problems regarding eating performance have their oral reflexes more often impaired, and their muscles more often show increased symmetrical tension, especially the frontal, orbicularis oris, and masseter muscles. The influence of delayed motor development, sensory hypersensitivity, and early gestational age on the occurrence of feeding problems was observed. No correlation was observed between the umbilical cord arterial's pH values and the feeding issues.

Feeding problems are multifactorial, which implies that infants should be provided with quick intervention and necessary therapy. It will allow the babies to develop correctly and reduce the risk of future problems.