Early feeding problems in an affluent society. III. Follow-up at two years: natural course, health, behaviour and development.

The aim of this study was to investigate the natural course of later problems and their prevalence in children with early feeding difficulties. Forty-two children with feeding problems without any obvious medical reason during the first year of life were followed up prospectively to the age of two years. Comparisons were made with 42 age- and sex-matched controls. Information was obtained from parental interviews, medical records and assessments of psychomotor development. In 21 (50%) of the children with feeding problems the problems persisted at the age of two years. There were significantly higher frequencies of infections and behavioural problems among the children with early feeding problems than among the controls. No differences in psychomotor development were found. Recurrent infections, behaviour problems and psycho-social problems were significantly correlated with severe persistent feeding problems at the age of two years.