Status quo of preterm infants′ feeding difficulties at weaning and self-feeding transition stage and its influencing factors / 中国儿童保健杂志

ABSTRACT

【Objective】 To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of feeding difficulties in preterm infants at weaning and self-feeding transition stage, so as to provide a scientific basis for the management of feeding preterm infants. 【Methods】 Preterm infants at corrected age of 6 - 24 months were recruited from the Department of Child Health of five maternal and child health hospital of Chengdu from April to May 2021, and were surveyed by using the Chinese Version of the Montreal Children Hospital Feeding Scale (MCF-FS) and the self-designed questionnaire on the influencing factors of feeding difficulties. Then the status quo of feeding difficulties and its influencing factors were analyzed. 【Results】 The prevalence rate of feeding difficulties in 231 preterm infants was 32%. Among them, the prevalence rate of mild, moderate and severe feeding difficulties was 15.2%, 7.8% and 9.1%, respectively. Binary Logistic stepwise regression analysis indicated that food allergy (OR=4.253, 95%CI: 1.430 - 12.649), anxious mood of caregivers (OR=6.064, 95%CI: 2.998 - 12.268), tease or chase during eating(OR=2.873, 95%CI: 1.382 - 5.970), recreational activities at eating (OR=2.328, 95%CI: 1.115 - 4.860), and forced feeding (OR=2.772, 95%CI: 1.239 - 6.198) were positively associated with feeding difficulty of preterm infants(P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Feeding difficulties in the weaning and self-feeding transition period of preterm infants are prevalent, so the guidance should focus on premature infants with food allergy, anxious caregivers and improper feeding behaviors, and appropriate interventions should be taken to promote scientific feeding.