Thompson, K. L., Clarke, E. C., Wasser, H., Schenkelberg, M. A., Agrawal, S., & Willis, E. A. (2024). Complementary feeding practices of caregivers of infants with Down syndrome as compared to caregivers of typically developing infants. Appetite, 198, 107356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2024.107356
The aim of this study was to describe the feeding practices of caregivers of infants with Downs syndrome (DS) compared to their typically developing (TD) peers. This descriptive study used data from an online survey distributed to primary caregivers of children with and without DS. A total of 75 primary caregivers of infants with DS and 66 primary caregivers of TD infants met inclusion criteria of having an infant aged 0–2 years. The present survey study revealed significant differences in CF feeding practices between caregivers of infants with DS as compared toTD infants. Concerns about infant weight and ability to regulate intake were more pronounced among caregivers of infants with DS, and they were less likely to receive information on the transition to CF. Caregivers of TD infants were more likely to meet recommendations for feeding practices (e.g., responsive feeding). Despite this, both groups of caregivers were meeting less than half of infant feeding evidence-based practices. Age of CF introduction was similar across groups, in contrast to prior studies. Overall, there is a need for more support and information for caregivers about the CF period, particularly for caregivers of infants with DS who may face additional challenges during this period.
van den Brand, A. J. P., Hendriks-Hartensveld, A. E. M., Havermans, R. C., Mourmans, R., Fleischeuer, B., Broers, N. J., & Nederkoorn, C. (2025). Food rejection is associated with tactile sensitivity and tactile appreciation in three-year-old children. Appetite, 204, 107769. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2024.107769
Food rejections are common in young children. Previous studies indicate that food texture may play a role in children’s food preferences and intake. Building on these findings, the present study investigated whether food rejection is related to tactile sensitivity and tactile appreciation in three-year-old children. A total of 259 children and 289 parents participated in the study. This study employed a broad methodology that included both parental questionnaires and child behavioral tasks . Results showed that children who are more sensitive to tactile sensations as measured using the parental SP-t were also more likely to display food rejection behavior as measured using the parental CFRS and liked fewer foods as measured using the parental liking of foods scale. A similar relationship was found for appreciation of textures which showed that a dislike of tactile sensations was positively related to child food rejections as measured using a taste test. These findings suggest that some children do not only reject food because of its taste, but also because of their dislike of textures. To increase healthy food intake in picky children, it may thus prove helpful to improve children’s appreciation of textures.
Taquet, J., Verbeken, S., & Goossens, L. (2024). Examining the whole plate: The role of the family context in the understanding of children’s food refusal behaviors. Eating behaviors, 52, 101828. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2023.101828
The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between parents’ own use of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies when they are anxious, parents’ reactions towards their children’s emotions in stressful situations, and parenting styles and children’s food refusal behaviors. 157 parents of young children completed a series of self- and parent-report questionnaires. Results showed that the model examining the role of parenting styles was found to be significantly related to food refusal behaviors in children. More specifically, that higher levels of a coercive parenting style were associated with higher levels of both food fussiness and food neophobia in children. Higher levels of a chaotic parenting styles were associated with higher levels of food neophobia in children. Factors related to the parenting style appear to be important for understanding food refusal behaviors in children. Replication of the findings using longitudinal and observational designs is needed.
Lim, T. S. H., Wong, C. Y., Lin, C., Phua, Q. Q., Tok, A. E. S., Cheng, A. S. M., Chan, Y. H., & Aw, M. M. (2024). Diet, growth, nutritional status and predictors of severity of feeding difficulties in autistic children with co-occurring pediatric feeding disorder. Early human development, 199, 106137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2024.106137
This study’s aim was to describe the dietary patterns, growth and nutritional status of autistic children with pediatric feeding disorder (PFD). A retrospective review of medical records was used assessing children with Autism between 0 and 18 years of age with PFD. Information collected included: 3-day food diary, analyzed and classified for food selectivity, demographics, blood work, developmental history, mealtime behaviors and caregiver feeding styles. A total of 98 patients were included (82 males and 16 females). The majority (95.9 %) had no chronic medical conditions; 6.1 % were born preterm, and 34.7 % reported gastrointestinal symptoms (constipation 32.7 %). The majority of participants had mild to moderate levels of autism features. More than half (58.2 %) rejected at least 1 food group entirely and had severe food selectivity (15.3 %) and 7.1 % rejected 2 and 3 food groups. Fruits (42.9 %) and vegetables (30.6 %) were the most commonly rejected food groups. Based on current dietary intake, 69.4 % children in this study were found to have nutritionally deficient diets. Deficiencies included: calories (35.7 %) carbohydrates (45.9 %), fat (40.8%), protein (10.2%), or micronutrients, such as iron (25.5 %) and calcium (20.4 %), 33.9% were iron-deficient; 37.7 % had vitamin D deficiency; and 14.3 % had zinc deficiency.. The majority had normal weight and height for age. A third (30.6 %) had delayed oromotor skills. Sensory preferences affecting the child’s feeding was present in 92.9 % children secondary to texture, taste, or visual properties of food. Common problematic mealtime behaviors reported by parents included moving out of the seat, moving around in the seat, refusing to eat, screaming or crying, and throwing food. Many required distractions at mealtimes, with the screen being the most commonly used distraction. Overall results indicate stable growth but high prevalence of food selectivity. As a result of the extreme food selectivity, the children were at risk of various degrees of malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies. This study confirms that many autistic children with pediatric feeding disorder are at significant nutritional risk, despite normal growth patterns.
Canick, J., McGuire, D., Kilpatrick, K. W., Perry, R., Kuchibhatla, M., Juhlin, E., & Lee, J. W. (2023). Predictive Factors in Identifying Pediatric Patients at Risk of Diagnostically Limited Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies. Ear, nose, & throat journal, 1455613231205532. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/01455613231205532
Videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) are highly effective in characterizing pediatric dysphagia, but they are time- and resource-intensive, and necessitate the use of radiation. Identifying patients unlikely to benefit from VFSS is crucial to improving patient safety and resource allocation. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the ability of a patient to consume at least 0.5 oz by mouth is a reliable indicator of their ability to produce a diagnostically useful VFSS. Currently, there are no guidelines for pretest patient selection. Literature recommends that pediatric patients be assessed by a speech-language pathologist prior to referral for VFSS but this may cause a burden for families. A retrospective chart review of pediatric patients aged 0 to 18 years, who underwent VFSS at a tertiary academic medical center from 2014 to 2021 were analyzed. Results showed an inability to consume at least 0.5oz of any texture by mouth at home was not found to be associated with nondiagnostic VFSS. Age was found to have an effect on VFSS utility with toddlers having higher odds of nondiagnostic VFSS compared to children and adolescents. Overall, there was no significant interaction between the ability to take at least 0.5 oz and age group. Gastrointestinal (GI) and neuromuscular comorbidities were also associated with clinically useful swallow studies.Clinicians should consider several factors, including age, at-home intake by mouth, and comorbidities such as neuromuscular and GI disorders, as they decide whether to order a VFSS.
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