Body adiposity and oral feeding outcomes in infants: a pilot study

BACKGROUND Prevalence of oral feeding difficulties in high-risk infants is increasing. Desire to take orally can be influenced by hunger and satiety, which may influence growth and body fat. OBJECTIVE To determine the association between body adiposity and infant oral feeding. METHODS Retrospective case-control study of infants ≥37-week postmenstrual age (PMA). Infants on tube feeding (cases) compared to birth gestation-matched infants on full oral feeding (controls). Body composition was determined by air displacement plethysmography. RESULTS Overall, 16 cases vs. 16 controls. At study, cases vs. controls had similar PMA, weight and length z-scores, and calorie intake. The mean oral intake was significantly less in cases vs. controls (66 vs. 168 ml/kg/day, p < 0.001). Cases had significantly higher percentage of fat mass (18.7 vs. 10.9) and fat-mass z-score (1.62 vs. 0.08) (p < 0.05), but similar fat-free mass vs. controls. Five case infants required gastrostomy. CONCLUSIONS Higher body adiposity may worsen the infant oral feeding outcomes.