Risk Factors Associated With Swallowing Complaints and Oral Sensory Problems in Children With a History of Preterm Birth.

Aim: Although previous studies have investigated feeding difficulties in preterm children, research exploring contextual risk factors within low- and middle-income countries like Turkey remains limited. This prospective cross-sectional study aims to identify factors associated with swallowing difficulties and oral sensory problems in children aged 3-10 years who were born preterm.

Method: A total of 158 parents of preterm children aged 3-10 years completed the Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool (PEDI-EAT-10) and the Oral Sensory Profile (Oral-SP). Data collected included age, gender, gestational age, growth metrics (height and weight), neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay duration, feeding methods (e.g., tube feeding, pacifier, or bottle use), medical history, and prior interventions like speech-language therapy.

Results: A total of 27.2% of participants were at risk of dysphagia based on PEDI-EAT-10 scores, while 58.9% demonstrated definite oral sensory differences. Swallowing difficulties were significantly associated with younger age, lower gestational age, shorter height, lower weight, longer NICU stay, and longer pacifier use. A strong negative correlation was found between swallowing difficulties and oral sensory functioning (r = -0.594, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Findings highlight the importance of early identification of swallowing and oral sensory issues in preterm children. Early neonatal interventions, particularly during NICU hospitalization, may reduce long-term feeding difficulties.

What This Paper Adds: What is already known on this subject Preterm birth is well known to be associated with feeding and swallowing difficulties from the neonatal stage, which may persist throughout early childhood. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study highlights the high prevalence of oral sensory processing difficulties in children born preterm, and a strong correlation between swallowing complaints and oral sensory differences. The association between pacifier use duration and swallowing complaints is a novel finding in the context of preterm populations. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Ongoing monitoring is essential for preterm children, especially those with lower gestational ages or prolonged NICU stays. Tailored interventions, such as speech therapy, are recommended to address persistent swallowing and oral sensory challenges.