Management and Prevention of Feeding Problems in Young Children with Prematurity and Very Low Birth Weight

Many young children with a history of prematurity and very low birth weight have long-term problems with poor feeding and growth. Early assessment and biobehavioral management are critical to curbing the potential long-term negative impact of feeding challenges on physical growth and development and the establishment of healthy parent-child interactions. Multiple, interrelated components involving nutritional, physiologic, and behavioral factors need to be considered simultaneously to help this high-risk pediatric population achieve success with oral feeding and growth. This article describes these factors in detail.