Objectives. To determine the results of diagnostic evaluation and the effec
ts of nutritional intervention on energy consumption, weight gain, growth,
and clinical status of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and su
spected feeding disorders.
Methods. We studied 79 children with moderate to severe motor or cognitive
dysfunction (male: female, 38: 41; age, 5.8 +/-3.7 years) who were referred
for diagnosis and treatment of feeding or nutritional problems. Initial as
sessments included a 3-day calorie intake record, videofluoroscopic swallow
ing study (VFSS), 24-hour intraesophageal pH monitoring, milk scintigraphy,
and esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
Results. These studies demonstrated gastroesophageal reflux (GER) with or w
ithout aspiration in 44 of 79 patients (56%), oropharyngeal dysphagia in 21
(27%), and aversive feeding behaviors in 14 (18%). Diagnosis-specific appr
oaches included medical GER therapy in 20 patients (25%), fundoplication pl
us gastrostomy tube (GT) in 18 (23%), oral supplements in 17 (22%), feeding
therapy only in 14 (18%), and GT only in 10 (13%). After 24.6 +/-3.0 month
s, relative calorie intake, expressed as intake (kcal/d)/recommended daily
allowance (RDA, kcal/d), improved significantly (initial: final = 0.78 +/-0
.36: 1.23 +/-0.27). The z scores increased significantly for both weight (i
nitial: final = -2.80 +/-1.33: -0.81 +/-0.69) and height (-3.14 +/-0.98: -2
.00 +/-0.67). Improved subcutaneous tissue stores were demonstrated by incr
eased thickness of both subscapular skinfolds (change =71%+/- 26%) and tric
eps skinfolds (38%+/- 17%). After nutritional intervention, the acute care
hospitalization rate, compared with the 2-year period before intervention,
decreased from 0.4 +/-0.18 to 0.15 +/-0.06 admissions per patient-year and
included only 3 admissions (0.02 per patient-year) related to feeding probl
ems.
Conclusions. In children with developmental disabilities, diagnosis-specifi
c treatment of feeding disorders results in significantly improved energy c
onsumption and nutritional status. These data also indicate that decreased
morbidity (reflected by a lower acute care hospitalization rate) may be rel
ated, at least in part, to successful management of feeding problems. Our r
esults emphasize the importance of a structured approach to these problems,
and we propose a diagnostic and treatment algorithm for children with deve
lopmental disabilities and suspected feeding disorders.