In this blog, we’ll further discuss Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) and how it can be a source of some kids’ feeding difficulties.
- What is Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD)?
- What causes Pediatric Feeding Disorder?
- How many children have Pediatric Feeding Disorder?
- What does Pediatric Feeding Disorder look like?
- How do I know if my child needs feeding therapy?
- What happens during feeding therapy?
- Treatments for Pediatric Feeding Disorder
What is Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD)?
If your child has Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD), they might have trouble eating enough food to stay healthy. This can be concerning for them if the underlying issue is not addressed. Because of this, they may lack a nutrient-rich and balanced diet, leading to physical and mental growth concerns and a weaker immune system. In severe cases, it can even contribute to chronic illnesses.
What Causes Pediatric Feeding Disorder?
There are several reasons why a feeding disorder may develop. It’s important to note that it’s typically a combination of multiple causes that contribute to feeding difficulties in a child, not a single factor.
Some of these causes include:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Gastrointestinal disorders (gastritis, duodenitis)
- Oral structure anomolies
- Prematurity
- Oral Motor Dysfunction (dysfunctional swallow, dysphagia, oral motor dysphagia)
- Esophagitis
- Food allergies
- Delayed exposure to a variety of foods
How Many Children Have Pediatric Feeding Disorder?
Numerous children likely have undiagnosed PFD, making it difficult to give an accurate population number. Some estimates show that PFD affects approximately 5 to 10 percent of children.
Other studies found 25% of children have some degree of feeding difficulty, of whom 3%–10% have more severe feeding disorders. Studies have also predicted a rising number of PFD diagnoses in recent years due to increased research on the relationship between feeding difficulties and developmental delays.
What Does Pediatric Feeding Disorder Look Like?
A certain level of food selectivity is completely typical in all children. Understanding the signs and patterns of PFD can help you identify it early on if further support is needed.
Signs of PFD may look like the following:
- Difficulty swallowing certain food textures
- Being very picky with food
- Becoming upset or overwhelmed at mealtimes
- Refusal of certain foods
- Choking, gagging, or throwing up when eating
- Only preferring certain food groups or textures
- Weight loss or lack of weight gain
- Not meeting feeding milestones
- Chronic illnesses such as respiratory infections
- Difficulties with oral motor skills
How Do I Know if My Child Needs Feeding Therapy?
If you notice specific patterns in your child’s eating habits, it’s important to make an appointment with their primary care provider. Repeated coughing, irritability, and struggle to coordinate mouth movements when eating are all causes to turn to a professional.
Catching feeding difficulties early on is important so they can be managed before symptoms worsen. If symptoms progress, your child may become malnourished, dehydrated, or develop nutritional deficiencies. If these difficulties begin to occur, you should inquire with your child’s doctor about Feeding Therapy.
What Happens During Feeding Therapy?
A therapist will work with you and your child to figure out what your child can already do when it comes to eating, where they’re having trouble, and why. Then, they will build on their strengths and what they can do while creating a program to help support their feeding needs.
The therapist will work with your child one-on-one to help them eat better, working with you and other caretakers to show you how best to support your child’s eating.
Treatments for Pediatric Feeding Disorder
Feeding therapy is one of the most effective ways to combat PFD, and it can drastically improve both strength and eating abilities. Alongside this, there are a variety of other methods you can use to combat PFD as well.
This includes:
- Adding calories to their diet
- Trying different foods
- Experimenting with new food textures
- Changing food temperature
- Changing eating position
- Medical management, such as reflux medication
Some of these treatments may help your child feel more comfortable and secure when eating, and your medical professional will put together the right plan and treatment strategy best suited for your child.
Published On: January 3, 2023
Updated On: April 10, 2023
