Parent-Reported Feeding Difficulties and Speech and Language Development in Late Preterm Infants

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to compare feeding difficulties (FDs) in Slovenian late preterm infants (LPIs) and full-term infants (FTIs), to identify factors associated with FDs, and to examine a possible association between FDs and later speech-language disorders (SLDs) among LPIs. Methods: Parents of 177 children (n_LPI = 89; n_FTI = 88) born at Ljubljana Maternity Hospital between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022 completed a questionnaire providing general information on their child, along with the child's health, birth history, and development of feeding, swallowing, and speech-language skills. Additional clinical data were obtained from medical documentation. Using these data, comparisons were made between LPIs and FTIs and within the LPI group according to the presence or absence of FDs and SLDs. Results: LPIs experienced significantly more FDs than FTIs (32.6% vs. 11.4%, p < 0.001). They were breastfed less frequently (68.5% vs. 94.3%, p < 0.001) and had a shorter breastfeeding duration (13.8 months vs. 17.3 months, p = 0.038). LPIs also demonstrated more challenges in speech and language development (34.1% vs. 15.3%, p = 0.004). However, no significant association was found between FDs and later SLDs (p = 0.957). Conclusions: LPIs are at increased risk of both FDs and SLDs compared with FTIs. These findings highlight the importance of high-quality preventive care and timely multidisciplinary interventions.