Eating problems in very low birthweight children are highest during the first year and independent risk factors include duration of invasive ventilation

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the incidence and time course of eating problems in children born with a very low birthweight (VLBW) and to identify the perinatal risk factors.

Methods: We used a standard eating questionnaire to study 178 VLBW children, born between 1999 and 2005 at a median of 28.6 weeks' gestation and median birthweight of 1058 g, for the first 6 years of life. The control group comprised 74 children born full term.

Results: Just under a quarter of the VLBW children (24.7%) had eating problems before the age of one, and by the age of two, the cumulative incidence had increased to 28.6%. The 69 children born between 1999 and 2001 had eating problems up to the age of six, but 76.5% were resolved by the age of four. Independent risk factors were gestational age at birth, and duration of invasive ventilation and eating problems were associated with significantly poor growth.

Conclusion: The incidence of eating problems in VLBW children was highest during the first year of life. Gestational age and the duration of invasive ventilation were independent risk factors, and eating problems contributed to continued growth failure. Eating problems require early recognition and intervention.

Keywords: Eating problems; Invasive ventilation; Perinatal risk factors; Poor growth; Very low birthweight.