Late preterm infants are born between 34 and 36 weeks of gestation. Compared to full-term infants, they face an increased risk of neonatal mortality and various morbidities, such as respiratory problems, jaundice, and feeding difficulties. After discharge from the maternity ward, they are also more likely to be rehospitalized due to health complications. Furthermore, late preterms are at increased risk of long-term neurodevelopmental consequences, such as speech-language disorders, feeding and swallowing disorders, cerebral palsy, cognitive delays, and (neuro)behavioral problems.
This master's thesis explores feeding and swallowing problems in late preterm infants and their potential connection to later speech-language disorders. We conducted a study with Ljubljana Maternity Hospital, with 177 parents participating – 89 of whom had late preterm infants and 88 full-term infants. The children were born in a period between 1. 7. 2021 and 30. 6. 2022. The parents completed a questionnaire providing general information on their child, as well as details regarding the child's health, birth history, and development of feeding, swallowing, and speech-language skills.
Data analysis revealed that late preterm infants experience significantly more feeding and swallowing problems than full-term infants. They breastfeed less frequently and wean off breastfeeding more quickly. Additionally, they more often face challenges in the speech and language development. However, no statistically significant association was found between feeding and swallowing difficulties and later speech-language disorders. Our study also found that mothers often feel inadequately informed about feeding their infants upon discharge from the maternity ward.
These findings are crucial for understanding the developmental challenges faced by late preterm infants and their families, while also emphasizing the need for their high-quality preventive and timely curative treatment by a multidisciplinary team. At the same time, the findings highlight the need for improvements in the professional support offered to all mothers in feeding their newborns.
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