Gastrostomy Tube Feeding in Extremely Low Birthweight Infants: Frequency, Associated Comorbidities, and Long-term Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of gastrostomy tube (GT) placement in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants, associated comorbidities, and long-term outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of ELBW infants from 25 centers enrolled in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network's Generic Database and Follow-up Registry from 2006 to 2012. Frequency of GT placement before 18-22 months, demographic and medical factors associated with GT placement, and associated long-term outcomes at 18-22 months of corrected age were described. Associations between GT placement and neonatal morbidities and long-term outcomes were assessed with logistic regression after adjustment for center and common co-variables. RESULTS: Of the 4549 ELBW infants included in these analyses, 333 (7.3%) underwent GT placement; 76% had the GT placed postdischarge. Of infants with GTs, 11% had birth weights small for gestational age, 77% had bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and 29% severe intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia. At follow-up, 56% of infants with a GT had weight <10th percentile, 61% had neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI), and 55% had chronic breathing problems. After adjustment, small for gestational age, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage/periventricular leukomalacia, poor growth, and NDI were associated with GT placement. Thirty-two percent of infants with GTs placed were taking full oral feeds at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: GT placement is common in ELBW infants, particularly among those with severe neonatal morbidities. GT placement in this population was associated with poor growth, NDI, and chronic respiratory and feeding problems at follow-up. The frequency of GT placement postneonatal discharge indicates the need for close nutritional follow-up of ELBW infants. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00063063.

Complementary feeding in infants born prematurely / Alimentação complementar em lactentes nascidos prematuros

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate if there is difficulty in introducing complementary feeding in premature infants. Methods This is an exploratory, cross-sectional study performed in premature infants between six and twenty-four months of gestationally corrected age, using complementary feeding. Thirty-eight infants born prematurely were included. The feeding difficulties presented by the infants were investigated through an objective question followed by the application of a food behavior checklist for the last month. The children's clinical variables were investigated through a medical record review. An interview was conducted with those responsible for the child to identify the sociodemographic aspects and the type of breastfeeding before the corrected six months of age. Results Asked about the general perception, 50% of parents answered that their children did not present feeding difficulties in the last month. However, when a checklist was applied, 73.7% of the parents reported that their children had at least one defensive behavior at mealtime. Refusal to open their mouths (42.1%), food selectivity (28.9%), and feeding refusal (26.3%) were the most frequent defensive behaviors. The food refusal item (44.4%) had a greater association with formula feeding (p = 0.033). Conclusion The present study showed an association between the type of breastfeeding and the difficulties in complementary feeding, especially in premature infants with formula feeding, presenting food refusal during meals. We found the presence of different types of defensive behaviors at mealtime in the majority of premature infants investigated.

RESUMO Objetivo Investigar se há dificuldade na introdução da alimentação complementar em lactentes prematuros. Método Trata-se de um estudo exploratório e transversal realizado em lactentes prematuros entre seis e vinte e quatro meses de idade corrigida gestacional, com alimentação complementar. Foram incluídas 38 crianças, 23 do gênero feminino e 15 do gênero masculino. As dificuldades de alimentação apresentadas pelos bebês foram investigadas através de uma pergunta objetiva seguida da aplicação de um checklist do comportamento alimentar no último mês. As variáveis ​​clínicas das crianças foram investigadas através de uma revisão de registro médico. Uma entrevista foi realizada com os responsáveis ​​pela criança para identificar os aspectos sociodemográficos e o tipo de aleitamento antes dos seis meses de idade corrigidos. Resultados Perguntado sobre a percepção geral, 50% dos pais responderam que seus filhos não apresentaram dificuldades de alimentação no último mês. No entanto, quando o checklist foi aplicado, 73,7% dos pais relataram que seus filhos tinham pelo menos um comportamento defensivo durante as refeições. A recusa de abrir a boca (42,1%), a seletividade alimentar (28,9%) e a recusa de alimentação (26,3%) foram os comportamentos defensivos mais frequentes. O item de recusa alimentar (44,4%) teve maior associação com aleitamento artificial (p = 0,033). Conclusão O presente estudo mostrou associação entre o tipo de aleitamento materno e as dificuldades na alimentação complementar, especialmente em lactentes prematuros com alimentação de fórmula, apresentando recusa alimentar durante as refeições. Também encontramos a presença de diferentes tipos de comportamentos defensivos na hora da refeição na maioria dos prematuros investigados.