Feeding difficulties, food intake, and growth in children with esophageal atresia.

Objectives: Challenges regarding feeding difficulties and nutrition in children with esophageal atresia (EA) have been sparsely studied. The aim of this study was to explore parent-reported feeding difficulties in children with EA by applying Montreal Children's Hospital-Feeding Scale (MCH-FS), and to further explore associations between feeding difficulties and clinical factors, growth and nutritional intake.

Methods: Parents of EA children born between 2012 and 2017 were invited. Clinical data were collected from medical records. In a prospective cohort-study parent-reported feeding difficulties (by MCH-FS) were reported at two assessments, and at the second assessment, dietary data were collected by using the 24-h food-recall method.

Results: Out of 55 eligible participants, we evaluated 53 children at median age of 1.6 years (Q1:Q3 1.0:2.9) (first assessment) and 38 at median age of 4.2 years (Q1:Q3 1.0:2.9) (second assessment). Feeding difficulties were reported by 34% and 31% of the parents, respectively, but no particular profile of concerns could be identified. Children's energy intake and weight-for-age were correlated with feeding difficulties (MCH-FS total score) (p < 0.02).

Conclusion: Parent-reported feeding difficulties were identified in one-third of children with EA and related to low energy intake and low weight-for-age, but not to clinical factors. This implies that feeding difficulties must be screened for during follow-up in all EA children and may facilitate early detection of challenges and intervention if needed.