Short-term feeding outcomes after neonatal brain injury

Abstract Background Although brain injury is known to be associated with feeding outcomes in preterm and unwell neonates, these groups are frequently excluded from studies of neonatal feeding development. This paper aims to identify the short-term feeding outcomes of infants with neonatal brain injury. Methods A retrospective cohort analysis was undertaken to ascertain the incidence of feeding disorders (full/partial tube feeding at 40 weeks) among infants with brain injury admitted to a UK neonatal unit between 2013 and 2017. Results 202 surviving infants with neonatal brain injury were included in the study. Feeding disorders were common among infants with brain injury (preterm 34%, term 34%) compared to infants without significant neurological comorbidities (preterm 9%, term 3%). The likelihood of feeding disorders increased with injury severity. Conclusions All infants with neonatal brain injury should have access to a specialist feeding therapist to maximise their feeding potential and provide support to families.