Poor feeding

Poor feeding is a medical term that describes an infant's lack of interest or difficulty in eating. It is a common symptom in newborns and can be a sign of a variety of health conditions, including infection, metabolic disorders, neurological disorders, and congenital heart disease.

Causes

Poor feeding can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Infection: Infections can cause a baby to lose their appetite and become lethargic, leading to poor feeding.
• Metabolic disorders: These disorders can affect a baby's ability to process certain nutrients, leading to poor feeding.
• Neurological disorders': These disorders can affect a baby's ability to suck and swallow, leading to poor feeding.
• Congenital heart disease: This condition can cause a baby to become tired easily, leading to poor feeding.

Symptoms

Symptoms of poor feeding can include:

• Lack of interest in feeding
• Difficulty sucking or swallowing
• Frequent vomiting
• Failure to gain weight
• Irritability during feeding

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of poor feeding typically involves a thorough medical history and physical examination. Additional tests may be ordered to rule out underlying conditions, such as blood tests, imaging studies, or a barium swallow study.

Treatment

Treatment for poor feeding depends on the underlying cause. This may include medication, surgery, or dietary changes. In some cases, a feeding tube may be necessary.

See also

• Infant nutrition
• Failure to thrive
• Feeding disorder

Poor feeding Resources
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