Feeding difficulties are commonly reported by parents with normally developing children and it is even more frequently encountered among children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and chronic illnesses. There is no universally accepted definition or classification system on feeding difficulty, but these children typically have difficulty in consuming adequate quantity, quality, or variety of food. Etiological factors contributing to feeding difficulties are often multifactorial, including structural abnormalities, neurological conditions, medical illnesses, incorrect feeding practices and poor mealtime habits, as well as inappropriate feeding styles of caregivers. Early recognition and management are important when dealing with children with feeding problems. A comprehensive clinical assessment, including parental report (parents’ perceptions of mealtime behaviours and food intake), review of the child’s health and developmental, feeding and growth history, thorough physical examination to detect signs of underlying organic diseases or malnutrition, as well as accurate anthropometric measurement, may help to identify the presence and severity of a feeding problem. Children who demonstrate red flag symptoms and signs will need prompt attention and may benefit from further laboratory investigation and referral to the appropriate specialists or multidisciplinary teams. A systematic and tailored approach, addressing both the children’s feeding behavior and the parents’ feeding practice, will ensure better outcome of the affected children.
Lobby
Lecture Halls
Sponsors
Abstracts
PROGRAMME
E-Cert
VOD