Complementary Feeding Practices of Former Neonatal Intensive Care Children: A Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Nutrition Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Healthy infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices are critical for optimal growth and development during the first two years of life.
• High-risk populations, such as former Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) graduates, may face unique challenges in achieving adequate nutrition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices among high-risk children up to 24 months of age.
• To assess dietary quality, including consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) and adherence to WHO feeding recommendations.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study followed 155 former NICU children from birth to 24 months.
• Dietary intake was assessed using 24-hour recalls and evaluated against WHO IYCF indicators.
• Linear mixed-effects models analyzed changes in UPF consumption and dietary diversity over time.

Main Results:

• Early weaning before 6 months occurred in 82.9% of participants.
• While minimum dietary diversity increased with age, vitamin A-rich food intake remained low.
• Consumption of added sugar, sugar-sweetened beverages, and UPF significantly increased between 6 and 24 months.

Conclusions:

• The diet quality of high-risk children is suboptimal, characterized by early weaning, insufficient vitamin A intake, and high UPF exposure.
• These findings underscore the necessity for targeted interventions to promote healthier feeding practices in this vulnerable population.