Patient characteristics and growth outcomes among children with feeding difficulties
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Jessica Bihuniak
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 9:00 AM
End Date
25-4-2025 9:59 AM
Description
Pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) is defined as a disturbance in oral intake that is not age-appropriate, and is associated with medical, nutritional, feeding skill, and psychosocial dysfunction. This study will describe the patient characteristics of children who received treatment for feeding difficulties from the first intensive multidisciplinary hospital day program established in NJ and describe changes in growth outcomes after 12 weeks of treatment. A retrospective chart review was conducted on 18 patients from the Pediatric Feeding Intensive Program at Children's Specialized Hospital, which focuses on assessing and treating feeding difficulties for children ages 0-21. Caregivers completed intake forms before treatment, including age, mealtime/feeding behavior, and medical history. Weight and height were measured by clinicians. Participants were 72% male with a mean age of 5±2.6 years. Autistic Spectrum Disorders were diagnosed in 72.2% of participants. The majority of participants experienced sensitivity to food textures (77.8%) and inappropriate mealtime behavior (e.g., tantrums or physical resistance; 77.8%). Half of the participants consumed mostly unhealthy foods and experienced difficulties with chewing high-textured foods. At baseline and 12 weeks, 61.1% and 55.6% of participants had a healthy BMI respectively. Post treatment, participants averaged 8.9% weight gain, 1.9% increase in height, and a BMI increase of 4.8%. Some patients with PFD may have a healthy growth trajectory, however, their diet increases the risk of nutrient deficiencies and poor diet quality. Dietitians can play an important role in improving the nutritional status of PFD patients.
Patient characteristics and growth outcomes among children with feeding difficulties
Pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) is defined as a disturbance in oral intake that is not age-appropriate, and is associated with medical, nutritional, feeding skill, and psychosocial dysfunction. This study will describe the patient characteristics of children who received treatment for feeding difficulties from the first intensive multidisciplinary hospital day program established in NJ and describe changes in growth outcomes after 12 weeks of treatment. A retrospective chart review was conducted on 18 patients from the Pediatric Feeding Intensive Program at Children's Specialized Hospital, which focuses on assessing and treating feeding difficulties for children ages 0-21. Caregivers completed intake forms before treatment, including age, mealtime/feeding behavior, and medical history. Weight and height were measured by clinicians. Participants were 72% male with a mean age of 5±2.6 years. Autistic Spectrum Disorders were diagnosed in 72.2% of participants. The majority of participants experienced sensitivity to food textures (77.8%) and inappropriate mealtime behavior (e.g., tantrums or physical resistance; 77.8%). Half of the participants consumed mostly unhealthy foods and experienced difficulties with chewing high-textured foods. At baseline and 12 weeks, 61.1% and 55.6% of participants had a healthy BMI respectively. Post treatment, participants averaged 8.9% weight gain, 1.9% increase in height, and a BMI increase of 4.8%. Some patients with PFD may have a healthy growth trajectory, however, their diet increases the risk of nutrient deficiencies and poor diet quality. Dietitians can play an important role in improving the nutritional status of PFD patients.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.