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Feeding interactions in infants with very low birth weight and bronchopulmonary dysplasia
L T Singer1, M Davillier, L Preuss
1Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Insights
Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, especially those with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), exhibit feeding difficulties. Maternal depression and anxiety are linked to reduced feeding interactions in VLBW infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatric Nutrition
Background:
- Infants with very low birth weight (VLBW) face significant risks for feeding disorders impacting growth.
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common comorbidity in VLBW infants, potentially exacerbating feeding challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare feeding behaviors and maternal psychological status in mother-infant dyads with VLBW infants (with and without BPD) versus term infants.
- To investigate the relationship between maternal depression/anxiety and feeding interaction patterns in VLBW infants.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study of 141 mother-infant pairs: 55 VLBW with BPD, 34 VLBW without BPD, and 52 term infants.
- Utilized operationally defined measures for infant feeding behaviors and maternal self-report questionnaires for depression and anxiety.
Main Results:
- Mothers of VLBW infants (with/without BPD) increased feeding prompts during infant nonfeeding behaviors.
- Infants with BPD showed reduced formula intake, less sucking time, and more nonfeeding time compared to VLBW without BPD and term infants.
- Mothers of VLBW infants reported higher rates of clinically significant depression and anxiety symptoms than mothers of term infants.
Conclusions:
- VLBW infants, particularly those with BPD, experience distinct feeding challenges.
- Maternal psychological distress (depression, anxiety) is more prevalent in mothers of VLBW infants and negatively associated with feeding interaction quality.
- Clinical assessment of VLBW mother-infant dyads should consider maternal mental health to understand interaction dynamics.
Abstract:
Infants with very low birth weight (VLBW) are at increased risk for feeding disorders that can affect growth and development. One hundred and forty one mother-infant pairs were compared [55 with infants with high medical risk due to infant VLBW and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), 34 VLBW without BPD, and 52 term infants] on operationally defined measures of feeding behaviors and maternal self-report of depression and anxiety. Mothers of VLBW infants with and without BPD spent more time prompting their infants to feed when their infants engaged in nonfeeding behavior. Despite increased maternal efforts, infants with BPD took in less formula, spent less time sucking, and spent a greater proportion of time nonfeeding. VLBW infants without BPD were equivalent to term infants in percentage of time sucking and in volume of formula ingested and were more likely to take in higher calories than infants with BPD. Mothers of VLBW infants with and without BPD were also more likely to report clinically significant symptoms of depression and anxiety than mothers of term infants. Because mothers of VLBW infants who were more depressed or anxious were less likely to verbally prompt their infants to eat, maternal psychological symptoms should be considered in assessing interactions of VLBW mother-infant dyads.