Dietary transition difficulties in preterm infants: critical literature review

• Main Authors: Carla Lucchi Pagliaro, Karina Elena Bernardis Bühler, Silvia Maria Ibidi, Suelly Cecília Olivan Limongi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2016-02-01
• Series: Jornal de Pediatria
• Subjects: Desenvolvimento das habilidades alimentares; Alimentação infantil; Problemas de alimentação; Bebês e crianças prematuras
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0021-75572016000100007&lng=en&tlng=en

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.