A qualitative study on the feeding methods of Filipino mothers of children with cleft lip and palate aged 0 to 24 months: A pilot study

Background@#One of the early problems that children born with cleft lip and palate encounter is difficulty in feeding. This affects the child’s nutritional needs and the timing of the surgical intervention. Information on the appropriate feeding methods for children with cleft lip and palate will enable mothers to feed their babies properly and facilitate the implementation of appropriate interventions.@*Objectives@#The study described the feeding problems experienced by children with cleft lip and palate (CLP), and cleft palate (CP) ages 0-24 months, the feeding methods most preferred by Filipino mothers, the methods they found most useful, and the mothers’ reactions to the feeding issues their children face. Methods. The research is a pilot study which used a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive mixed method design. Thirty-two (32) mothers of children with cleft lip and palate, and cleft palate answered an 11-item online survey and participated in focused interviews from January to June 2022. Inferential statistics was used specifically frequency distribution to describe the data, and Fishers’ Exact Test and Pearson’s Chi-Square Test were used to analyze the data quantitatively to determine the significant association between the variables identified.@*Results@#Results showed that the feeding problems encountered by the children included nasal regurgitation, sucking, aspiration of liquids, latching on nipples, and swallowing. Mothers preferred to use regular feeding bottles (24.3%), specialized feeding bottles for children with cleft (21.6%), breast feeding and dropper (17.6%), syringe (9.5%), cup (6.8%), and spoon feeding (2.7%) methods. They also mentioned that they found the following feeding methods to be the most useful, regular feeding bottles (32.7%), specialized feeding bottles for cleft (23.1%), breast feeding (11.5%), spoon and dropper feeding (7.7%), and syringe feeding (1.9%).@*Conclusion@#The feeding problems experienced by Filipino children with CLP and CP mirror those that have been reported in other studies. The study revealed that mothers still prefer to use the traditional regular feeding bottles in feeding their babies and found this to be the most useful. Maternal reactions of the participants to the cleft condition and its feeding issues are similar to reported studies in other countries. The internet has been the primary source of information on cleft and feeding of the participants in the study.

Dietary transition difficulties in preterm infants: critical literature review / Dificuldades de transição alimentar em crianças prematuras: revisão crítica de literatura

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To analyze the scientific literature on dietary changes in preterm children during the first years of life. DATA SOURCE: The PubMed database was used for article selection. The texts were analyzed according to their objectives, research design, and research group characteristics. The following were selected to comprise the criteria: (1) publications in the period from 1996 to 2014; (2) participation of infants and children from birth to 10 years of age; (3) development of oral motor skills necessary for feeding; (4) development of the feeding process; and (5) feeding difficulties during childhood. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: There were 282 studies identified, of which 17 were used in the review, and five more articles were identified through the reference list of selected articles, totaling 22 references. CONCLUSION: Very low birth weight preterm newborns are more likely to have feeding problems in early postnatal stages and during childhood when compared with full-term infants. Monitoring the feeding of these infants after hospital discharge is strictly recommended in an early intervention program aiming at better development of feeding skills.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Analisar a literatura científica sobre alterações alimentares em crianças prematuras durante os primeiros anos de vida. FONTE DOS DADOS: A base de dados do Pubmed foi a precursora para a seleção dos artigos. Os textos foram analisados quanto aos seus objetivos, desenhos da pesquisa e características do grupo pesquisa e foram selecionados os seguintes temas para compor os critérios: (1) publicações de 1996 a 2014; (2) participação de bebês e crianças, do nascimento até os 10 anos; (3) desenvolvimento das habilidades motoras orais necessárias para a alimentação; (4) desenvolvimento do processo de alimentação e (5) dificuldades alimentares durante a infância. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: Foram identificados 282 estudos, 17 foram usados e cinco artigos foram identificados por meio da lista de referência bibliográfica dos artigos selecionados, totalizando 22 referências bibliográficas. CONCLUSÃO: A revisão permitiu concluir que recém-nascidos pré-termo muito baixo peso (RNPTMBP) são mais propensos a apresentar problemas de alimentação nos estágios iniciais pós-natal e durante a infância quando comparados com crianças a termo. O monitoramento da alimentação após a alta hospitalar é estritamente recomendado em um programa de intervenção precoce com vistas ao melhor desenvolvimento das habilidades alimentares.

Spectrum of Feeding Problems and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Scoping Review

Introduction: Managing feeding problems and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a challenging process for professionals and parents especially if they become persistent and longstanding. The aim of the study was to assess the evidence on feeding problems and GI symptoms among primary school children with ASD. Methods: A scoping review using electronic journal databases, published reports and other types of publication in the last 10 years was conducted. Key terms were defined in the searches and a scoping review framework was used to chart the evidence on feeding problems and GI symptoms in children with ASD. Eighty three articles met the inclusion criteria and 50 articles were used in the review. Results: There is emerging literature reporting consistently on a wide spectrum of feeding problems and GI symptoms among children with ASD. In addition, there is little published literature reporting or investigating the impact of these problems in children with ASD which include financial, social and stress impact on parents, children and their families. This review indicates that many school-aged children with ASD can experience several types of feeding problems and GI symptoms. Conclusion: It is important for professionals working in the community or public health, and educational settings to be able to identify these issues at an early stage, so that professionals could support parents with appropriate information and advice. A specific tool is needed to assess feeding problems and GI symptoms in children with ASD.

Problemas de la alimentación en lactantes. Primera parte: generalidades / Feeding problems in infants. First part: basic concepts

Desde la etapa prenatal, la organización neuro-fisiológica del bebé lo prepara para realizar con efectividad los procesos vitales de succión, deglución y respiración. Los reflejos y experiencias intrauterinas le permitirán poder alimentarse inmediatamente al nacer. Se estima que cerca del término de la gestación, el feto humano deglute entre 500-1000cc de líquido amniótico cada día. El pico de sinaptogénesis sucede entre 34 y 36 semanas de edad gestacional, que es el tiempo donde la succión nutritiva es segura. El ritmo de la succión se establece a las 32 semanas. El proceso de alimentarse sufre encefalización cuando los reflejos son integrados, entonces pasa de un ritmo de alimentación reflejo, a tener la capacidad de alterar voluntaria y cualitativamente la estrategia de alimentación. Este proceso se consolida debido a la integración sensoriomotora de la deglución con la respiración, la coordinación ojo-mano, el tono muscular normal, la postura y un apropiado ambiente psicosocial. Alimentarse, especialmente en los primeros años de vida, es un proceso mutuo, se necesitan dos personas para lograrlo, y por eso, si alguna de las dos carece de las habilidades necesarias, esto puede generar problemas de la alimentación. Nada sustituye la valoración realizada con una historia clínica y un examen físico dirigidos a valorar cuán efectiva es la fase oral y faríngea mientras el bebé es alimentado. Cuando se presenten dificultades, la intervención debe ser activa, eso incluye la toma de decisiones médicas y quirúrgicas, protección de la vía aérea, suministro del aporte calórico idóneo para las necesidades del infante. Se deben además brindar estrategias maduracionales para su nivel de desarrollo alimentario actual y para ir adquiriendo las habilidades esperadas en elfuturo cercano y tardío

Uma intervenção cognitivo-comportamental com uma criança com dificuldades alimentares: Pedro descobriu que gostava de comer / A cognitive-behavioural intervention in a child with feeding problems: Peter discovered that he enjoys eating

Este artigo visa descrever a intervenção com uma criança de 7 anos de idade com problemas alimentares: Pedro recusava-se a comer alimentos sólidos desde bebê. A intervenção baseou-se nos princípios cognitivo-comportamentais, incluindo treino parental e exposição gradual aos alimentos evitados, seguida de reforço positivo. Contudo, na fase final, seguiu-se uma orientação narrativa, no sentido de promover a consolidação da mudança, por meio da elaboração de resultados únicos e validação social da mudança. O comportamento alimentar de Pedro melhorou ao longo das 13 sessões. Vale destacar que os ganhos se mantiveram até a última consulta de follow-up que aconteceu 6 meses depois da finalização.

This case study aims to describe an intervention with a 7-years-old child with feeding problems: Pedro refused to eat any solid food since he was a baby. The intervention was based on cognitive-behavioural principles and included parental training and exposure to the avoided aliments followed by positive reinforcement. In the final stage, however, the intervention was inspired by the narrative therapy, in order to consolidate the change. This phase included elaboration of unique outcomes and social validation of the change. The child's feeding behaviour considerably improved throughout the 13 sessions. The positive changes have been maintained until the last follow-up session, 6 months after de finalization.