Prevalence and Predictors of Problematic Feeding at 1, 3, and 6 Months Corrected Age in Preterm Infants Born Prior to 34 Weeks.

The purpose of this study is to describe the prevalence of problematic feeding in the first 6 months of life in infants born preterm, the impact of feeding problems on the family and parent, and explore which factors known at the time of neonatal discharge predict later symptoms of problematic feeding. The study design is a longitudinal, observational study. The sample included 43 infants born at 28.3 (23.57-33.86) weeks postmenstrual age at 1, 3, and 6 months corrected gestational age. The Infant Eating Assessment Tool and Feeding Impact Scales provided the main outcome variables. Prevalence of problematic feeding was 64% at 1 month, 66% at 3 months, and 29% at 6 months. Diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease while in the NICU was the greatest predictor of problematic feeding in the first 6 months. Families and parents were more negatively impacted when their infant had problematic feeding.