Poor feeding in infants
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 feedingConsiderations
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.
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
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by
URAC, also known as the American
Accreditation HealthCare Commission. URAC's accreditation program is
the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and
accountability, verified by independent audit.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2005 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.