Poor feeding in infants Health Article

Definition

Poor feeding is when an infant has a lack of interest in feeding or a problem receiving the proper amount of nutrition.

Alternative Names

Feeding - infant's lack of interest; Infant - lack of interest in feeding

Considerations

Poor feeding is a nonspecific symptom seen in newborn and young infants. It can result from many conditions, including infection, metabolic disorders, genetic disorders, structural problems, and neurological disorders. Poor feeding is not a sign of the severity of the disease, but it requires close watching of the infant.

Poor feeding is not the same as "picky" eating. Many children between ages 2 and 4 are picky eaters. Parents only need to give children what they like to eat at this age. However, children must continue to drink milk or an appropriate milk substitute.

Common Causes

• Any disorder that causes damage to the nervous system or causes muscle weakness
• Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
• Birth-acquired herpes
• Congenital hypothyroidism
• Galactosemia
• Group B streptococcal septicemia of the newborn (late)
• Hypoplastic left heart
• Infant botulism
• Infection of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
• Newborn jaundice
• Patent ductus arteriosus
• Premature infant
• Tetralogy of Fallot
• Total anomalous pulmonary venous return
• Tracheoesophageal fistula, a birth defect in which there is a connection between the trachea and the esophagus
• Transposition of the great vessels
• Truncus arteriosus
• Viral gastroenteritis

Home Care

Watch closely for the development of other signs and symptoms of illness, such as dehydration.

Also watch the child's height, weight, and general development closely for signs of malnutrition or failure to thrive.

Call your health care provider if

Contact your pediatrician if your child does not seem to be eating enough, is consistently losing weight, or if poor feeding is accompanied by other signs or symptoms.