Prevalence, Clinical Characteristics, and Risk Factors of Food Regurgitation in Infants Younger than 18 Months: A Population-Based Study in Tehran, Iran
TL;DR
Results were generally consistent with previous studies, but FR prevalence in this cohort was comparatively higher and further studies incorporating objective paraclinical assessments to confirm the diagnosis are warranted.
Abstract
Food regurgitation (FR) is a physiologic process occurring in children younger than 2 years in which swallowed liquid and/or food moves from stomach back to mouth. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, clinical manifestations, and risk factors of FR in infants younger than 18 months in south Tehran, Iran. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 5 health centers were selected, with 90 infants younger than 18 months from each center. Mothers were interviewed regarding infant characteristics and risk factors, including age, sex, birth weight, gestational age, maternal age, delivery type, birth order, age at starting supplemental food, predominant milk type during the first 6 months, family history of FR in siblings, sleeping or feeding position, and presence of FR. For infants with FR, information was collected on frequency, time of day, volume and consistency of regurgitated material, timing relative to feeding, post-feeding burping, age at onset and resolution, amount per episode, and associated medical conditions. Statistical software package SPSS for Windows version 25 was used for data analysis, and the Chi-square (χ²) test assessed significant statistical associations (p<0.05). FR prevalence was 76.5% (344 babies). Most affected infants (54%) were younger than 6 months, and 52% were male. FR was more common among infants with a nonspecific sleeping position or supine feeding position and among breastfed infants. It was also common among low-birth-weight and preterm infants (83% and 71%, respectively), while all infants with congenital or chronic disorders (100%) experienced FR. No significant statistical association was observed between FR and infant characteristics. FR most commonly began during the first week of life (70%) and resolved after 6 months of age (38%). Episodes occurred predominantly throughout the day, usually 1–2 times daily, and were generally of low volume. Although findings were generally consistent with previous studies, FR prevalence in our cohort was comparatively higher. Further studies incorporating objective paraclinical assessments to confirm the diagnosis are warranted to better determine the clinical characteristics and risk factors of FR among infants younger than 18 months.
