Poor feeding
Alternative names:
feeding or eating is poor; infant with lack of interest in feeding
Definition:
The feeding pattern of an infant who either demonstrates a lack of interest in feeding or an inability to take in adequate nutrition. <
<Considerations:
Poor feeding is a nonspecific symptom seen in newborn and young infants that may result from conditions including infection, metabolic disorders, genetic disorders, structural abnormalities, and neurological disorders.
Poor feeding is not an indicator of the severity of a disease but it is an indicator that, even in the absence of other symptoms, suggests close watching of the infant. <
<Common causes: <Note: There may be other causes of poor feeding. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints.
<Home care:
Watch closely for the development of other signs and symptoms of illness, including signs of dehydration. Also watch the height, weight, and general development closely for signs of malnutrition or failure to thrive. <
<Call your health care provider if: <- your child does not seem to be eating enough or is consistently loosing weight
- poor feeding is accompanied by other signs or symptoms.
<What to expect at your health care provider's office:
A child who is feeding poorly will often have other symptoms and signs that, when taken together, define a specific syndrome or condition. Diagnosis of that condition is based on a family history, medical history, and thorough physical evaluation.
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting your symptom in detail may include: <- eating habits
- How does the baby (child) eat normally?
- Has the diet been changed recently?
- time pattern
- Has the baby (child) always been a fussy eater?
- Is the feeding getting more difficult?
- other symptoms
Diagnostic tests:
Laboratory studies such as X-rays, GI studies, and blood tests may be ordered to confirm the presence of a suspected disorder.
After seeing your health care provider:
Although the health care provider maintains records on your baby, it may be helpful to maintain your own records of the well-baby findings. You should add measurements that you do at home (height, weight, and so on). Bring your records to the health care provider's attention if you notice any abnormalities, or if you have questions about your baby's development. If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider as the cause of poor feeding, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.
Considerations:
Poor feeding is a nonspecific symptom seen in newborn and young infants that may result from conditions including infection, metabolic disorders, genetic disorders, structural abnormalities, and neurological disorders.
Poor feeding is not an indicator of the severity of a disease but it is an indicator that, even in the absence of other symptoms, suggests close watching of the infant. <
<Common causes: <Note: There may be other causes of poor feeding. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints.
<Home care:
Watch closely for the development of other signs and symptoms of illness, including signs of dehydration. Also watch the height, weight, and general development closely for signs of malnutrition or failure to thrive. <
<Call your health care provider if: <- your child does not seem to be eating enough or is consistently loosing weight
- poor feeding is accompanied by other signs or symptoms.
<What to expect at your health care provider's office:
A child who is feeding poorly will often have other symptoms and signs that, when taken together, define a specific syndrome or condition. Diagnosis of that condition is based on a family history, medical history, and thorough physical evaluation.
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting your symptom in detail may include: <- eating habits
- How does the baby (child) eat normally?
- Has the diet been changed recently?
- time pattern
- Has the baby (child) always been a fussy eater?
- Is the feeding getting more difficult?
- other symptoms
Diagnostic tests:
Laboratory studies such as X-rays, GI studies, and blood tests may be ordered to confirm the presence of a suspected disorder.
After seeing your health care provider:
Although the health care provider maintains records on your baby, it may be helpful to maintain your own records of the well-baby findings. You should add measurements that you do at home (height, weight, and so on). Bring your records to the health care provider's attention if you notice any abnormalities, or if you have questions about your baby's development. If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider as the cause of poor feeding, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.
Common causes:
Note: There may be other causes of poor feeding. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints.
<Home care:
Watch closely for the development of other signs and symptoms of illness, including signs of dehydration. Also watch the height, weight, and general development closely for signs of malnutrition or failure to thrive. <
<Call your health care provider if: <- your child does not seem to be eating enough or is consistently loosing weight
- poor feeding is accompanied by other signs or symptoms.
<What to expect at your health care provider's office:
A child who is feeding poorly will often have other symptoms and signs that, when taken together, define a specific syndrome or condition. Diagnosis of that condition is based on a family history, medical history, and thorough physical evaluation.
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting your symptom in detail may include: <- eating habits
- How does the baby (child) eat normally?
- Has the diet been changed recently?
- time pattern
- Has the baby (child) always been a fussy eater?
- Is the feeding getting more difficult?
- other symptoms
Diagnostic tests:
Laboratory studies such as X-rays, GI studies, and blood tests may be ordered to confirm the presence of a suspected disorder.
After seeing your health care provider:
Although the health care provider maintains records on your baby, it may be helpful to maintain your own records of the well-baby findings. You should add measurements that you do at home (height, weight, and so on). Bring your records to the health care provider's attention if you notice any abnormalities, or if you have questions about your baby's development. If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider as the cause of poor feeding, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.
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