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Poor feeding in infants

• Overview
• Treatment

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 - lack of interest; Infant - lack of interest in feeding

Considerations:

Poor feeding is a nonspecific symptom seen in newborn and young infants that can result from many conditions, including infection, metabolic disorders, genetic disorders, structural abnormalities, and neurological disorders.

Poor feeding is not an indicator of the severity of the disease, but it is an indicator that (even in the absence of other symptoms) suggests 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:

• Viral gastroenteritis
• Galactosemia
• Group B streptococcal septicemia of the newborn (late)
• Meningitis
• Tracheoesophageal fistula
• Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
• Birth-acquired herpes
• Infant botulism
• Congenital hypothyroidism
• Hypoplastic left heart
• Meningitis H. influenza
• Physiologic jaundice of the newborn
• Patent ductus arteriosus
• Premature infant
• Tetralogy of Fallot
• Total anomalous pulmonary venous return
• Transposition of the great vessels
• Truncus arteriosus
• Any disorder that causes damage to the nervous system or causes muscle weakness

• Review Date: 11/23/2006
• Reviewed By: John Goldenring, MD, MPH, JD, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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