Definition

Poor feeding is when an infant either demonstrates a lack of interest in feeding, or an inability to take in adequate 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.

Causes

• Viral gastroenteritis
• Galactosemia
• Group B streptococcal septicemia of the newborn (late)
• Meningitis
• Tracheoesophageal fistula
• Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
• Birth acquired herpes
• Botulism (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: 4/22/2003
Reviewed By: Elizabeth Hait, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.