Feeding Disorders

Feeding Disorders is a topic covered in the Select 5-Minute Pediatrics Topics.

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Basics

Description

  • Feeding disorder: inability to consume by mouth in quantity or quality the nutrition that is developmentally appropriate for that child
  • Dysphagia: disorder of swallowing characterized by difficulty in oral preparation for the swallow or in moving food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach
  • Aspiration: Food or fluid enters the trachea and passes through the vocal cords to lungs.
  • Penetration: Food or fluid enters the trachea but remains above vocal cords and can be cleared by patient through coughing to prevent aspiration.
  • Oral motor disorder: inability to manipulate age-appropriate diet; often related to incoordination of facial muscles and/or tongue
  • Pharyngeal dysphagia: inability to protect airway during swallow; may be due to anatomic abnormality or neurologic dysfunction
  • Voluntary food or fluid refusal associated with maladaptive interactions at mealtimes; associated with learned fear when foods or textures are advanced before a child is developmentally or medically ready to swallow without dysfunction

Risk Factors

  • Congenital heart disease
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Developmental delay/cerebral palsy
  • Prolonged tube feeders (>4 weeks)
  • Prematurity
  • Neuromotor dysfunction
  • Anatomic deformities (i.e., Pierre Robin sequence, laryngomalacia, tracheotomy, cleft palate)
  • GI disorders: gastroesophageal reflux, eosinophilic esophagitis, celiac disease
  • Tachypnea (respiratory rate >40 breaths per minute)

General Prevention

  • Monitor weight, height, head circumference, weight for height, and BMI percentiles at regular interval office visits to identify changes in nutritional status early, especially in high-risk populations.
  • Selective eater: Educate parents on age-appropriate portion sizes and foods.
  • Provide vitamin and mineral supplementation or refer to nutritionist for complete assessment if patient is at risk for deficiencies.
  • Developmental delay: Evaluate diet and feeding skills to manipulate nutrition provided.
  • Ensure foods offered match developmental readiness rather than chronologic age.

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