Open AccessPrevalence, aetiology, and impact of paediatric feeding disorders in preterm infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit in Cyprus
Author(s) -
Panayiota Senekki-Florent,
Margaret Walshe
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advances in communication and swallowing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2772-5391
pISSN - 2772-5383
DOI - 10.3233/acs-210025
Subject(s) - low birth weight , medicine , neonatal intensive care unit , pediatrics , gestational age , birth weight , epidemiology , bronchopulmonary dysplasia , population , intensive care , neonatology , intensive care medicine , pregnancy , environmental health , genetics , biology
BACKGROUND: Advancements in neonatal care have resulted in increased survival for preterm infants, with associated risk for paediatric feeding disorders (PFDs), the prevalence of which is relatively unexplored. Risk factors for developing PFDs in this population must be identified. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiology and risk factors for PFDs in preterm infants with Extremely Low Birth Weight (ELBW); Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) and Low Birth weight (LBW) in the only neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Cyprus. METHODS: This study comprised 2 phases: Phase 1, a retrospective 2-year file audit, informing methodology for Phase 2, a prospective epidemiological study. Profiles of 1027 preterm infants were obtained in Phase 1. In Phase 2, clinical assessment data on 458 preterm infants (N = 224) were analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of PFDs was 36.5%. All preterm infants with ELBW and 69%with VLBW exhibited PFDs. Risk factors were birth weight (BW), gestational age (GA), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), neurological disorders, structural anomalies, and congenital heart disease (CHD). CONCLUSIONS: This unique epidemiological data for one country will inform NICU service provision and direct international research on PFDs in neonates.