A Hospital- and Home-Based Behavioral Intervention for a Child with Chronic Food Refusal and Gastrostomy Tube Dependence

Abstract

There is a growing body of evidence supporting the efficacy of behavioral interventions for increasing oral consumption in individuals with chronic food refusal. Although several studies have reported on interventions carried out in hospital or clinic settings, few investigations have described the long-term effects of treatment in the individual's natural environment. In this case study, we developed a treatment package for increasing oral intake of a child with chronic food refusal during her admission to an inpatient behavioral unit. After discharge, a home-based intervention was continued for 18 months during which time oral intake was further increased while gastrostomy tube feedings were decreased and eventually eliminated. Results suggest that a combination of hospital- and home-based interventions may be beneficial for some patients with chronic food refusal.