RT Book, Section
A1 Gamulka, Beth D.
A2 Zaoutis, Lisa B.
A2 Chiang, Vincent W.
SR Print(0)
ID 1146117216
T1 Feeding Issues
T2 Comprehensive Pediatric Hospital Medicine, 2e
YR 2017
FD 2017
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9780071829281
LK accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1146117216
RD 2024/10/14
AB Feeding  difficulties  are  frequent  comorbid  conditions  in  infants  and  children  with  both  acute  and  chronic  illnesses  and  can  alert  the  clinician  to  an  underlying  condition.  In  fact,  feeding  problems  can  precede  the  diagnosis  of  cerebral  palsy  in  60%  of  children  with  both  cerebral  palsy  and  oromotor  dysfunction.1  Decreased  oral  intake  can  lead  to  nutritional  deficiencies,  failure  to  thrive,  and  dehydration.  The  ability  of  infants  and  children  to  feed  and  grow  relies  on  safe  oromotor  coordination,  endurance  while  feeding,  adequate  caloric  intake,  an  appropriate  food  source,  and  positive  feedback  with  respect  to  the  feeding  experience.  Although  poor  feeding  may  be  associated  with  many  other  pediatric  illnesses,  by  far  the  most  common  feeding-related  issues  are  gastroesophageal  reflux  (GER)  and  gastroesophageal  reflux  disease  (GERD).  Dysphagia  and  feeding  aversion  are  two  other  distinct  feeding-related  diagnoses  that  will  be  addressed.  Complications  related  to  feeding  aversion  and  to  aspiration  are  also  often  concomitant  diagnoses  in  medically  complex  children.