Feeding Problems in Children With Neonatal Arterial Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

Feeding disorders and the association of neonatal feeding disorders with other outcomes were assessed in a cohort of 84 children with neonatal arterial ischemic stroke at a tertiary children’s hospital. Both χ² tests and Fisher’s exact test were used to test associations. Forty-one of 84 children (48.8%) had feeding difficulties. Infarcted vascular territory (unilateral vs bilateral, P = .24) and neonatal seizures (P = .39) were not associated with feeding problems. Children with at least 1 perinatal comorbidity (P = .002, odds ratio = 4.27; 95% confidence interval: 1.65-11.03) and specifically respiratory problems (P = .004, odds ratio = 3.85; 95% confidence interval: 1.49-9.93) were significantly more likely to have feeding problems. Neonatal feeding problems were predictive of feeding problems at 12 to 24 months of age (P = .026, odds ratio = 3.33; 95% confidence interval: 1.12-9.90) but did not predict speech delay (P = .97) or cerebral palsy (P = .70). Feeding problems are important sequelae of neonatal stroke, but neonatal feeding problems in this group do not predict speech delay or cerebral palsy.

Keywords

neonatal stroke perinatal cerebral palsy feeding dysphagia reflux gastrostomy tube aspiration failure to thrive swallow choking suck speech delay desaturation seizures

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