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.

Dietary transition difficulties in preterm infants: critical literature review.

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.