Feeding development of children with microcephaly: a descriptive study

Abstract

Purpose: to describe feeding characteristics of children with microcephaly, encompassing the feeding route, food consistencies, and utensils used to feed them. Methods: a descriptive study approved by the Research Ethics Committee, including 34 caregivers of children diagnosed with microcephaly. They answered a structured interview on the children’s feeding route, breastfeeding, utensils used to feed them, and the food consistencies, besides sociodemographic and overall development data. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed, presenting absolute and percentage frequencies and measures of central tendency and dispersion. Results: the 34 caregivers in the sample were responsible for 34 children born between 2015 and 2018, diagnosed with microcephaly, due to various causes. Of these, 33 (97.02%) were on oral feeding in their first year of life - 26 (76.44%) on breastfeeding, nine of which (26.46%) exclusively so until 6 months old. The children were served food in baby bottles, cups, spoons, and syringes. Pureed food was the consistency most accepted by the children. Conclusions: there was a low prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding until they were 6 months old, delayed progress of consistencies, use of utensils inadequate to their age, and necessary adaptations to feed children, orally.