Texture Consumption Patterns of 8- to 12-Month-Old Infants: A Reflection of Typical Feeding Development

Purpose The lack of age-appropriate expectations for the acquisition of feeding skills and consumption of textured food in early childhood inhibits early and accurate identification of developmental delay in feeding and pediatric feeding disorder. The objective of this study was to describe texture intake patterns in a cohort of typically developing infants between 8 and 12 months of age, with the aim of informing future research to establish targets for feeding skill acquisition. Method Using cross-sectional methodology, we studied the presence of liquid and solid textures and drinking methods in the diet, consumption patterns by texture and drinking methods, and caloric intake by texture via caregiver questionnaire and 3-day dietary intake record in 63 healthy infants between 8 and 12 months of age. Descriptive statistics and a one-way analysis of variance were conducted to compare the effect of age on texture intake patterns. Results Findings reveal rapid advancement of intake patterns for texture overall and for energy intake by texture between 8 and 12 months of age. Whereas liquids continue to provide a large proportion of total energy through this time, solids contribute an equal proportion of energy by 12 months of age. Conclusions This study describes texture intake patterns in a cohort of typically developing infants between 8 and 12 months of age by examining the presence of texture and drinking methods, liquid and solid consumption patterns, and energy intake by texture. When applied to data from a future population sample, findings will provide a threshold for age expectations for typical and disordered feeding development to aid in the detection of developmental delay in feeding and pediatric feeding disorder. What Is Known: Expectations regarding early feeding development have been focused on nutrition parameters. Lack of standardized, age-appropriate expectations for texture progression in infancy and early childhood inhibits early and accurate identification and treatment of pediatric feeding disorder. What Is New: We have described changes in dietary composition by texture and drinking method in healthy infants. Together with nutritional composition, this study describes a more comprehensive assessment of infant feeding, particularly to clinicians who need to diagnose feeding skill deficits. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.16879615

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: New Research Insights on Infant Sucking and Feeding Development

Purpose Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or BPD, is a serious lung condition that mostly affects premature newborns who need prolonged oxygen therapy. Certain factors place infants at risk for developing BPD, including lung immaturity, poor nutrition, and need for mechanical ventilation as well as mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension and maternal infection. Given that breathing is the foundation for sucking and feeding behaviors, infants with BPD have difficulty coordinating the suck–swallow–breathe pattern needed for successful feeding. This review article examines the current research on oral feeding in this population and clinical implications for speech-language pathologists. Conclusion By reviewing oral feeding and its relation to cardiorespiratory support, suck–swallow–breathe coordination, bottle-feeding behaviors, and gastroesophageal reflux, speech-language pathologists will gain valuable insights into current research findings, possible interventions, and suggestions for clinical practice when working with infants with BPD.

The Utility of Speech-Language Biomarkers to Predict Oral Feeding Outcomes in the Premature Newborn

Purpose Successful oral feeding and speech emergence are dependent upon the coordination of shared oral muscles and facial nerves. We aimed to determine if the speech-associated genes, forkhead box P2 (FOXP2) , contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CNTNAP2 ), glutamate receptor, ionotropic, N-methyl D-aspartate 2A (GRIN2A) , and neurexin 1, were detectable in neonatal saliva and could predict feeding outcomes in premature newborns. Method In this prospective, observational, preliminary study, saliva collected from 51 premature infants (gestational ages: 30–34 6/7 weeks) at different stages of oral feeding development underwent gene expression analysis. Binary (+/–) expression profiles were explored and examined in relation to days to achieve full oral feeds. Results GRIN2A and neurexin 1 rarely amplified in neonatal saliva and were not informative. Infants who amplified FOXP2 but not CNTNAP2 at the start of oral feeds achieved oral feeding success 3.20 (95% CI [−2.5, 8.9]) days sooner than other gene combinations. Conclusions FOXP2 and CNTNAP2 may be informative in predicting oral feeding outcomes in newborns. Salivary analysis at the start of oral feeding trials may inform feeding outcomes in this population and warrants further investigation.

Masa hidup imago, progeni, dan kemampuan parasitisasi Anagyrus lopezi (De Santis) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), parasitoid kutu putih singkong

<p>Parasitoid <em>Anagyrus lopezi</em> (De Santis) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was introduced from Thailand into Indonesia in early 2014 to control the invasive cassava mealybug, <em>Phenacoccus manihoti</em> Matile-Ferrero (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Research was conducted in laboratory with the objectives to determine effect of honey on adult longevity, to study fecundity, progeny production, and sex ratio, and to evaluate effect of increased host density to parasitization. Studies were carried out by exposing 3^rd instar nymphs of mealybug to parasitoids. Effect of honey on adult longevity was done in the absence of hosts. Fecundity was measured by the number of mummies formed. Results showed that adult females lived for 3.7 days, while males lived for 3.2 days when only provided water. Adult longevity increased significantly when honey was provided. Parasitoids with access to 50% honey lived almost six to nine fold longer than those provided water. Over its adult life, <em>A. lopezi</em> parasitized 96–287 mealybugs with an average of 203.7 or 34.6% of hosts were parasitized, and 24.86% were killed through host feeding. Development from egg to adult emergence required 17.97 and 17.67 days for males and females respectively. The average number of offspring produced per female was 88.8 individuals, of which 56.9% were females. The number of hosts parasitized at densities varying from 2–100 cassava mealybugs corresponded to a type III functional response.</p>

Comparison of the effects of multiple variables on the levels of infection of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, in its intermediate host, the confused flour beetle Tribolium confusum

The interaction of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, with its intermediate beetle host, Tribolium confusum, is a well-studied model system. However, there is so much variation in the methods and designs of the studies that it is difficult to draw comparisons. This study simultaneously compared several aspects of the infection protocol including beetle age, sex, density and mating status; parasite egg condition, infection environment humidity and the times for the three steps of infection: starvation, feeding and post-feeding development. Although statistically limited by low prevalence and intensity levels, we were able to detect the relative effects of the variables. The effects of these variables on prevalence (percent infection) and intensity (mean number of cysticercoids) do not necessarily correlate with each other. Egg condition, reduced starvation times, higher beetle density and longer development times reduced prevalence. However, differences in intensity were only detected with older beetles. When coupled with survivorship data, our study found that our current infection protocol is optimal for infection success. However, the results suggest extending the study to other intermediate hosts and the inclusion of additional variables.

How Does Feeding Development and Progression onto Solid Foods in PKU Compare with Non-PKU Children During Weaning?

Weaning is complex for children with phenylketonuria (PKU). Breastmilk/infant formula and phenylalanine (Phe)-free infant protein-substitute (PS) are gradually replaced with equivalent amounts of Phe-containing food, a semi-solid/spoonable weaning PS and special low-protein foods. In PKU, feeding patterns/practices during weaning in PKU have not been formally evaluated. In this longitudinal, prospective, case-control study (n = 20) infants with PKU transitioning to a second-stage PS, were recruited at weaning (4–6 months) for a comparison of feeding practices and development with non-PKU infants. Subjects were monitored monthly to 12 months and at age 15 months, 18 months and 24 months for: feeding progression; food textures; motor skill development and self-feeding; feeding environment; gastrointestinal symptoms; and negative feeding behaviours. Children with PKU had comparable weaning progression to non-PKU infants including texture acceptance, infant formula volume and self-feeding skills. However, children with PKU had more prolonged Phe-free infant formula bottle-feeding and parental spoon feeding than controls; fewer meals/snacks per day; and experienced more flatulence (p = 0.0005), burping (p = 0.001), retching (p = 0.03); and less regurgitation (p = 0.003). Negative behaviours associated with PS at age 10–18 months, coincided with the age of teething. Use of semi-solid PS in PKU supports normal weaning development/progression but parents require support to manage the complexity of feeding and to normalise the social inclusivity of their child’s family food environment. Further study regarding parental anxiety associated with mealtimes is required.