310418 Pediatric Feeding Disorders

Course overview

Discussion of pediatric feeding disorders including causes, signs, symptoms, and risk factors; who makes up an interdisciplinary feeding disorder team; categories; common approaches to therapy, and suggestions for parents of children with feeding disorders. An estimated 25-45% of typically developing children demonstrate feeding and swallowing problems, and the estimates for children with developmental disorders presenting with some form of feeding or swallowing problem are 30-80%. The prevalence of pediatric feeding disorders has grown due to improved survival rates of premature babies who have low birth weight and complex medical conditions. Pediatric feeding disorders may result in severe issues and complications, such as growth failure and increased susceptibility to chronic illness. Individuals with feeding disorders may have multiple medical issues requiring assessment and treatment in a variety of settings, such as school, home, or in the hospital, and a team-based approach with multiple disciplines is often utilized to complete a comprehensive assessment of the child. This program discusses pediatric feeding disorders, including categories, causes, signs and symptoms, and the role of the nurse as part of the multidisciplinary team when caring for these children.