Some children will be referred for a feeding and swallowing evaluation because of solid food dysphagia or difficulty swallowing solids. Caregivers might describe coughing, choking or gagging on solid food during mealtime. What does this mean and how should it be evaluated? Solid food dysphagia can be related to several different etiologies. GI Issues: In adult patients, solid food Keep Reading >>
GI Issues that interfere with successful feeding: How to recognize the symptoms
There are many reasons that infants and children develop feeding problems. Many of these children have a history of prematurity, neurological dysfunction, respiratory issues, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and learned patterns of behavior as well as other issues. Research supports that a significant number of children have feeding difficulty related to their GI dysfunction. Hyman PE. Keep Reading >>
Dr. Paul Hyman, Pediatric Gastrointestinal Motility Specialist explains the use of manometry and pain medicine in feeding intervention
Dyspepsia means that there is upper abdominal discomfort. In lots of folks with dyspepsia it gets worse after eating, or only happens after eating. In adults dyspepsia has been studied carefully. Endoscopy may show an inflammatory or acid-related disease that can be treated with drugs. However, most dyspepsia is functional, meaning that the symptoms are real but there is no easily discovered Keep Reading >>
Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Infants and Toddlers: What the Pediatric Feeding Therapist Should Know by Claire Kane Miller Ph.D.
(reprinted from The Pediatric Feeding and Dysphagia Newsletter, July 07, vol 8, no. 1, pg 6-8. ) Esophagitis (inflammation and swelling of the esophagus) is known to occur as a manifestation of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Treatment of GERD is necessary to heal injury, reduce inflammation and swelling of the esophageal mucosa, and to help relieve associated pain and discomfort Keep Reading >>
Autism Speaks: Tool Kits for Feeding Behavior and Constipation
http://www.autismspeaks.org I wanted to highlight the Autism speaks website specifically the exploring feeding tool kit and the constipation tool kit. You can go to the site, register and download them for free. Research is indicating that children with autism have more constipation, reflux, and food Keep Reading >>
Research: Infant Colic
I wanted to pass on a summary of an article that was posted on medscape this week. It highlights that there is some encouraging research looking at probiotics and colic. There is so much going on in the world of probiotics and gut microbes! I'm going to a research talk on Friday about pediatric gut microbiotia and I will post the highlights! Jordi Cuñé, Jonathan Santas. Infant Colic: Keep Reading >>
The importance of gastroenterology in treating feeding problems.
At UNC Hospitals, I do about 7 new feeding evals each week. 5 of these are with our pediatric feeding team which includes speech, GI and nutrition and 2 are scheduled as a speech pathology/feeding evaluation. The evals are scheduled based on the doctor's referral so they come in earmarked for feeding team or written for a speech path feeding eval. I've been making a mental note of the Keep Reading >>
Soy Protein-Based Formulas in Infant Feeding- use them or not?
Traditionally, soy protein-based formulas have been recommended as an alternative to cow's milk formula when an infant presents with colic or suspected intolerance or allergy. However, there is evidence and caution moving away from recommendations to use a soy and now indicating a better choice would be to trial a hydrolyzed formula. See below for information regarding the concerns for use of soy Keep Reading >>