Scholarlink

Background <p>Feeding difficulties significantly impact neonatal well-being. This study explores the clinical characteristics, etiologies, and diagnostic practices for full-term neonates with feeding difficulties in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).</p> Methods <p>This retrospective cohort study recruited full-term infants admitted to NICUs participating in the China Neonatal Genome Project from March 2017 to December 2021, diagnosed with feeding difficulties persisting &gt;72 h.</p> Results <p>Among 220 patients, the most common symptoms were poor sucking (39.5%), vomiting (22.3%), and dysphagia (14.1%). High-yield diagnostic modalities included genetic tests (83/220, 37.3%), brain imaging (70/145, 48.3%), laryngoscopy (47/54, 87.0%), and muscle biopsy (12/28, 42.9%). A definitive etiology was identified through clinical evaluation in 100 cases (45.5%), 48 of which (21.8%) were subsequently confirmed by genetic testing. In an additional 35 cases (15.9%), genetic results contributed to diagnostic clarification or revision. Compared to neonates without genetic disorders, the 83 patients with genetic disorders were more likely to have persistent feeding difficulties, reduced muscle tone, craniofacial deformities, urinary and reproductive system malformations, and a need for invasive respiratory support (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05 for all).</p> Conclusion <p>Identifiable etiologies were found in over 60% cases, with genetic disorders representing a significant subset. Selective genetic testing and targeted diagnostic strategies are essential for managing feeding difficulties in this vulnerable population.</p> Impact <p>Feeding difficulties in full-term neonates admitted to NICUs remain under-recognized compared to those in preterm infants. This study provides a comprehensive overview of their clinical features and underlying etiologies, highlighting a substantial proportion with identifiable causes, including genetic and non-genetic factors (e.g., neuromuscular and gastrointestinal). By outlining the diagnostic yield of key modalities and their clinical relevance, our findings offer practical guidance for early evaluation of feeding difficulties in this vulnerable population.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Characterization and diagnosis of feeding difficulties in full-term neonates in NICUs: a multicenter study

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月21日

查看全文
  • Jing Wang,
  • Jiaqi Mao,
  • Bi Ze,
  • Mengmeng Ge,
  • Liyuan Hu,
  • Xinran Dong,
  • Bingbing Wu,
  • Yulan Lu,
  • Huijun Wang,
  • Guoqiang Cheng,
  • Lin Yang,
  • Tiantian Xiao,
  • Wenhao Zhou

摘要

Background

Feeding difficulties significantly impact neonatal well-being. This study explores the clinical characteristics, etiologies, and diagnostic practices for full-term neonates with feeding difficulties in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study recruited full-term infants admitted to NICUs participating in the China Neonatal Genome Project from March 2017 to December 2021, diagnosed with feeding difficulties persisting >72 h.

Results

Among 220 patients, the most common symptoms were poor sucking (39.5%), vomiting (22.3%), and dysphagia (14.1%). High-yield diagnostic modalities included genetic tests (83/220, 37.3%), brain imaging (70/145, 48.3%), laryngoscopy (47/54, 87.0%), and muscle biopsy (12/28, 42.9%). A definitive etiology was identified through clinical evaluation in 100 cases (45.5%), 48 of which (21.8%) were subsequently confirmed by genetic testing. In an additional 35 cases (15.9%), genetic results contributed to diagnostic clarification or revision. Compared to neonates without genetic disorders, the 83 patients with genetic disorders were more likely to have persistent feeding difficulties, reduced muscle tone, craniofacial deformities, urinary and reproductive system malformations, and a need for invasive respiratory support (P < 0.05 for all).

Conclusion

Identifiable etiologies were found in over 60% cases, with genetic disorders representing a significant subset. Selective genetic testing and targeted diagnostic strategies are essential for managing feeding difficulties in this vulnerable population.

Impact

Feeding difficulties in full-term neonates admitted to NICUs remain under-recognized compared to those in preterm infants. This study provides a comprehensive overview of their clinical features and underlying etiologies, highlighting a substantial proportion with identifiable causes, including genetic and non-genetic factors (e.g., neuromuscular and gastrointestinal). By outlining the diagnostic yield of key modalities and their clinical relevance, our findings offer practical guidance for early evaluation of feeding difficulties in this vulnerable population.