Factors associated with the different types of feeding difficulties in children aged 0 to 10 years: A retrospective study in a Brazilian reference center

Abstract

Aims: To identify factors associated with the prevalence of different types of feeding difficulties in children aged 0 to 10 years. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study with data from children aged 0-10 years diagnosed with some feeding difficulty, attended at a reference center located in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The presence of feeding difficulty was analyzed according to the multidisciplinary diagnosis, appearing of the complaint, information about pregnancy and breastfeeding, parenting style, presence of organic causes and associated complications. Data were tabulated using Microsoft Excel software and statistical analyzes were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 21 using absolute and relative frequencies, mean, standard deviation, chi-square test and Kruskall-Wallis test associated with Dunn post-hoc test. Results: 166 patients were analysed, with male, preschool age and full-term predominance. The most prevalent diagnosis was picky eating, with no associated organic diseases or reactions. Diagnoses of feeding difficulty were statistically significant associated with age, gestational age at birth, age and feeding phase of onset of the complaint. Conclusions: The factors that were associated with the different types of feeding difficulty were age, gestational age at birth, age and feeding phase of emergence of the complaint. The present study allows us to initiate a more specific direction of orientation actions and prevention of feeding difficulties, thus highlighting the importance of conducting studies of this nature.