Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD)

Q: How do I know if my child has a feeding disorder?

The way to know if your child has a feeding disorder is to visit their pediatrician for a diagnosis. Signs and symptoms, like difficulty chewing and swallowing, are signals that there might be a problem.

Q: When is it time to see my child’s doctor?

If your child is struggling to eat, having difficulty swallowing, has lost weight or having trouble gaining weight, it may be time to see their doctor.

It can be scary when your child is struggling to eat. This may be due to pediatric feeding disorder (PFD), a common condition in children under 5. The pediatricians at Children’s Health are here to offer expert support. We’ll work closely with you to determine the cause of your child’s feeding problem and build an individualized treatment plan to help your little one thrive.

Overview

What is pediatric feeding disorder (PFD)?

Pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) is when a child has difficulty eating and drinking food by mouth. The feeding disorder is often related to difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). PFD affects roughly 1 in 37 children under 5 every year in the United States. It’s a condition that can impact proper nutrition and growth.

Our feeding disorder specialists at Children’s Health are here to provide expert care to support your child’s nutrition, development and overall well-being.

Signs and Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of a pediatric feeding disorder (PFD)?

Refusing to eat or drink
Difficulty chewing
Trouble with swallowing
Arching back during feeding
Coughing or gagging during meals
Frequent spitting up or vomiting
Irritable or crying during mealtimes
Decreased responsiveness during mealtimes
Loss of food and liquid by mouth when eating or drinking
Difficulty breathing while eating or drinking
Slow weight gain

Signs and symptoms of PFD vary by age.

Causes

What causes pediatric feeding disorder (PFD)?

Pediatric feeding disorder can be caused by:

Prematurity
A medical condition, like GERD or food allergies
Poor oral motor skills or swallowing disorder (dysphagia)
Chronic health problems, like ear infections or respiratory infections
A condition present at birth, like cleft lip or cleft palate
Hypersensitivity to taste, smell and texture
Dental problems

Treatment

How is pediatric feeding disorder treated (PFD)?

The main goal of PFD treatment is to help children get good enough nutrition and hydration to support their growth and development. This usually involves a combination of different techniques to support safe swallowing and eating. Our team will build a custom treatment plan based on your child’s age and cause of their feeding problem. Treatment may include one or more of the following:

Adjusting your child’s posture or position during feeding
Stimulation of the lips, tongue or jaw with a pacifier (oral-motor stimulation)
Feeding strategies, like alternating bites of food and sips of liquid during mealtime
Working with a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)

With proper care, pediatric feeding disorder can be well managed and improved.

Doctors and Providers

Our pediatric feeding disorder team consists of gastroenterologists, otolaryngologists, hepatologists, psychologists, dietitians, and nurse practitioners. Each member has special training and understanding of feeding disorders and plays an important role in your child’s care.