- Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD):
Involves inadequate oral intake that doesn’t align with the child’s age.
o Linked to medical, nutritional, feeding skill, and/or psychosocial factors. - Impact on food intake:
o Limits in the quality, quantity, and variety of foods and beverages.
o Increases risk for nutritional issues, such as:
– Malnutrition
– Overnutrition
– Micronutrient deficiencies or toxicity
– Dehydration - Malnutrition:
o Affects 25-50% of children with PFD, especially those with chronic diseases or neurodevelopmental disorders.
o Defined as insufficient nutrient intake. - Impaired feeding skills:
o Can result from illness, injury, or developmental delays.
o Contributing factors:
– Neurodevelopmental delay
– Sensory-motor dysfunction
– Physical injury
– Neurological deficits
– Abnormal oral structure or function
– Limited feeding experience - Psychosocial factors:
o Child, caregiver, and feeding environment can influence feeding behavior.
o Developmental delays (motor, language, social, cognitive) may create a mismatch between child’s abilities and caregiver expectations.
o Mental/behavioral health issues in the child or caregiver can negatively impact feeding.
o Cultural and social influences can shape mealtime behaviors.
What Can I Do While I Wait For Services?
Made by SLP KP
Do:
- Encourage messy play
- Model playing with food (create shapes, words, etc.)
- Participate in sensory play (shaving cream, sensory bins, finger paint)
- Switch back and forth
- Between a preferred food and non-preferred food
Don’ts:
- Limit play with food
- “Force feed”
- Become frustrated – stay patient with the process
Resources:
Goday, P. S., et al. (2019). Pediatric feeding disorder. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 68(1), 124–129. https://doi.org/10.1097/mpg.0000000000002188
