[Swallowing and Feeding Problems in Neonatal Units - Analysis of a Speech-Language Pathology Service]

Preterm and sick neonates are at increased risk for swallowing and feeding problems. In Germany, structural standards for speech-language pathology (SLP) services in neonatal care are lacking, as are validated assessment tools for this context. The aim of this study was to systematically describe feeding problems using clinically feasible instruments.

In a prospective observational study, a SLP service was implemented in neonatal units at a German university hospital. Data were analyzed from infants referred due to feeding difficulties. Nutritional status was assessed using the German version of the FOIS-p, and parental perception and burden were evaluated using the newly developed questionnaire S&F 0-6.

A total of 148 infants with a mean postmenstrual age of 41 weeks (±7.0; 33-68) were included in the analysis, of whom 58.8% were born preterm. The most common diagnosis was weak suck and/or suck-swallow-breathe discoordination (70%), followed by dysphagia (15%) and feeding disorder (6%). The FOIS-p indicated partial oral feeding for the majority of infants. Parents reported the highest burden scores in the domain of concerns about thriving and weight gain.

Swallowing and feeding difficulties in preterm and sick infants are common in the inpatient setting and require differentiated SLP assessment and intervention. Simple measures such as the FOIS-p could in future provide the basis for a robust data foundation across the inpatient stay.