A retrospective study of the effect of birth status on the acquisition time of feeding function

Abstract

Objective

Low birthweight infants (LBW) are known to have a significantly high complication rate, and mortality rate, and many of them are admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The purpose of this study is to assess LBW using a feeding function assessment to determine the appropriate time of acquisition of feeding function for effective support.

Methods

The subjects were 134 children, 84 LBW, 50 normal birth weight (NBW), up to 12 years old who had received multiple feeding guidance at Meikai University Hospital and a certain medical center from 2010 to 2021. The subjects were divided into two groups: LBW and NBW, and the developmental status of feeding function was examined retrospectively. From the medical records, we investigated feeding function, motor function, number of weeks of gestation, NICU admission, and tube feeding and its duration, and use of public services.

Results

Significant differences were found in the time of oral intake preparation, time of swallowing function acquisition, time of mashing function acquisition, time of self-feeding preparation, time of fixed neck, rolling over, sitting up without support, and pulling up to stand. The factor influencing both feeding function and motor function was the number of weeks of gestation, followed by public services. The common factor influencing feeding function was NICU admission, and gender was also influential during the time of preparation for self-feeding.

Conclusion

These results suggest that it is effective to provide support during the time of swallowing function acquisition.