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BMC Pediatrics

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research article

Prevalence of problematic feeding in young children born prematurely: a meta-analysis

Authors: Britt Frisk Pados, Rebecca R. Hill, Joy T. Yamasaki, Jonathan S. Litt, Christopher S. Lee

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Difficulties related to eating are often reported in children born preterm. The objective of this study was to quantitatively synthesize available data on the prevalence of problematic feeding in children under 4 years of age who were born preterm.

Methods

Literature was identified from PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycInfo. The search was limited to English language and publication years 2000–2020. To be included in the meta-analysis, the article had to report the prevalence of problematic oral feeding within a population of children born prematurely (< 37 weeks’ gestation), and the child age at the time of study had to be between full-term corrected age and 48 months. For studies meeting inclusion criteria, the following data were extracted: sample size and subsamples by gestational age and/or child age at time of study; definition of problematic feeding; measures used for assessment of feeding; gestational age at time of birth of sample; child age at time of study; exclusion criteria for the study; and prevalence of problematic feeding. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to estimate the prevalence of problematic feeding across all studies, by gestational age at birth, and by child age at time of study.

Results

There were 22 studies that met inclusion criteria. Overall prevalence of problematic feeding (N = 4381) was 42% (95% CI 33–51%). Prevalence was neither significantly different across categories of gestational age nor by child age at the time of study. Few studies used psychometrically-sound assessments of feeding.

Conclusion

Problematic feeding is highly prevalent in prematurely-born children in the first 4 years of life regardless of degree of prematurity. Healthcare providers of children born preterm should consider screening for problematic feeding throughout early childhood as a potential complication of preterm birth.

Systematic review registration number

Not applicable.

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Title: Prevalence of problematic feeding in young children born prematurely: a meta-analysis
Authors: Britt Frisk Pados
Rebecca R. Hill
Joy T. Yamasaki
Jonathan S. Litt
Christopher S. Lee
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-021-02574-7

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Prevalence of problematic feeding in young children born prematurely: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Systematic review registration number

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Systematic review registration number

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