Parental Perception of Premature Infant Growth and Feeding Behaviors: Use of Gestation-Adjusted Age and Assessing for Developmental Readiness During Solid Food Introduction

Publication Date

2014

Journal Title

Clin Pediatr

Abstract

Background. The extent to which pediatricians inform parents about gestation-adjusted age growth plotting is unclear. Uninformed parents may have decreased satisfaction of infant growth. Subsequent early introduction of solid foods may lead to avoidant feeding behaviors and poor parental perception of infant feeding patterns. Methods. Questionnaires regarding infant growth and feeding behaviors were given to parents (n = 76) of premature infants. The Wilcoxon rank-sum and chi(2)/Fisher's exact tests were used. Results. Uninformed parents were less satisfied with their infant's growth (P < .002). Uninformed parents had more developmentally unready infants at the time of solid food introduction compared with informed parents (P = .03). Significant differences were found in avoidant feeding behaviors and parental perception of infant feeding patterns between developmentally ready and unready infants. Conclusion. Pediatricians should adjust for gestational age when plotting growth and assess for developmental readiness for premature infants when recommending solid foods.

Volume Number

53

Issue Number

13

Pages

1271-1277

Document Type

Article

EPub Date

2014/06/26

Status

Faculty, Northwell Researcher

Facility

School of Medicine; Northwell Health

Primary Department

General Pediatrics

Additional Departments

Obstetrics and Gynecology

PMID

24961782

DOI

10.1177/0009922814540039

For the public and Northwell Health campuses

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