Abstract
In this study, we aimed to relate anthropometric parameters and sensory processing in typically developing Brazilian children diagnosed with a pediatric feeding disorder (PFD). This was a retrospective study of typically developing children with a PFD. Anthropometric data were collected and indices of weight-for-age, length/height-for-age, and body mass index-for-age (BMI-for-age) were analyzed as z-scores. Sensory profile data were collected for auditory, visual, tactile, vestibular, and oral sensory processing. We included 79 medical records of children with a PFD. There were no statistically significant (p > 0.05) relationships between the anthropometric variables (weight-, length/height-, or BMI-for-age) and the sensory variables (auditory, visual, tactile, vestibular, or oral sensory processing). In conclusion, we found no relationship between anthropometric parameters and sensory processing in the sample of typically developing Brazilian children diagnosed with a PFD under study.
Highlights
A pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) is identified when a child has impaired oral intake that is not age-appropriate, which can be associated with multiple causal factors including medical, nutritional, oral–sensory–motor, and/or psychosocial dysfunctions [1]
Exploring the relationship between anthropometric parameters and sensory processing in our sample was important because we believe that feeding behavior, which is influenced by a child’s sensory preferences and aversions to food at an early age, can compromise their interest and motivation to eat and may result in short, mid, and long-term health consequences
It is important to highlight that clinical experience shows us that feeding problems are not always associated with malnutrition or growth deficiencies
Summary
A pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) is identified when a child has impaired oral intake that is not age-appropriate, which can be associated with multiple causal factors including medical, nutritional, oral–sensory–motor, and/or psychosocial dysfunctions [1] These dysfunctions can be due to medical causes, including gastrointestinal, cardiorespiratory, and/or neurological problems, or nutritional causes, including malnutrition or a deficiency or restriction of a specific nutrient. Previous studies have indicated that the percentage is growing every year among typically developing children and in other populations such as autistic, premature, and hyperactive children with attention deficit disorder, among others [4,5,6]
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