Feeding problems in children with neonatal arterial ischemic stroke.
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 chi(2) 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.
Barkat-Masih
Monica
M
Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA.
Saha
Chandan
C
Hamby
Deborah K
DK
Ofner
Susan
S
Golomb
Meredith R
MR
D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D016208:Databases, Factual; D019959:Feeding and Eating Disorders of Childhood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D020765:Intracranial Arterial Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013997:Time Factors