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Nascer e Crescer
versión impresa ISSN 0872-0754versión On-line ISSN 2183-9417
Resumen
MARQUES, Pedro Carvalho e et al. Feeding and eating difficulties in early childhood - Characterization of a child psychiatry consultation. Nascer e Crescer [online]. 2023, vol.32, n.3, pp.173-181. Epub 30-Sep-2023. ISSN 0872-0754. https://doi.org/10.25753/birthgrowthmj.v32.i3.26966.
Introduction:
Feeding difficulties in early childhood are among the most common problems reported by parents and may reflect the child’s own characteristics or a relational problem. They are associated with problems in later life, such as behavioral disorders, cognitive deficits, and eating disorders.
Materials and Methods:
This study was a retrospective, descriptive analysis of sociodemographic and clinical data of children under six years of age with feeding or eating problems evaluated at a first consultation in a child psychiatry unit of a tertiary hospital between January 2019 and May 2021. Children with a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder were excluded.
Results:
Of a total of 647 children evaluated, 57 (8.81%) were classified as having feeding difficulties. Their median age was 24.5 months. Food selectivity was the most frequently reported problem (45.6%), followed by difficulties in self-regulation at mealtimes (43.9%) and decreased appetite (33.3%). Among the mothers, 21% had a history of depressive disorders and 7% had a history of anxiety disorders. Forty-nine percent of children had patterns of interaction with their primary caregiver that were considered worrisome or disruptive. Fifty-four percent of the therapeutic interventions provided were child-parent psychotherapy.
Conclusions:
Early identification and intervention are needed for children with feeding problems. Feeding problems are common in early childhood and a multidisciplinary approach must always be considered as they can affect several domains of the child’s health and development.
Palabras clave : child psychiatry; feeding difficulty; early childhood; eating disorder; mental health.