title: Effect of co-morbidities on the development of oral feeding ability in pre-term infants: a retrospective study.
abstract: Pre-term infants frequently experience difficulties in attaining independent oral feeding, thus delaying the achievement of an adequate nutritional status and hospital discharge. The aim of this retrospective, single-centre, observational study was to investigate the effect of co-morbidities on the timing of the achievement of full oral feeding in pre-term infants. The neonatal and feeding data of 84 infants born at a gestational age of <32 weeks were collected, and the effect of co-morbidities on the achievement of feeding independence was evaluated using multiple linear regression analysis. The mean postmenstrual age at the time of the achievement of full oral feeding was 36.7 ± 3.68 weeks (range 33-53) weeks. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that a low birth weight, the occurrence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and the need for gastrointestinal surgical procedures were independently associated with a higher postmenstrual age at achievement of full oral feedings.
authors.affiliation: Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Via Commenda 12, 20122 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Lorella
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Giannì
authors.affiliation: Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, S.I.T.R.A. Basic Education Sector, Via Francesco Sforza 28, 20122 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sannino
authors.affiliation: Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, S.I.T.R.A. Basic Education Sector, Via Francesco Sforza 28, 20122 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bezze
authors.affiliation: Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Via Commenda 12, 20122 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Plevani
authors.affiliation: Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Via Commenda 12, 20122 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: di Cugno
authors.affiliation: Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Via Commenda 12, 20122 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roggero
authors.affiliation: Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Epidemiology Unit, Via San Barnaba 8, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Consonni
authors.affiliation: Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Via Commenda 12, 20122 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mosca
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D015897:Comorbidity; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D062486:Public Health Surveillance; D012189:Retrospective Studies