Feeding Disorders in Infancy

Humans are born with an innate need for nourishment. Most infants develop the skills necessary to eat and sustain adequate growth; however, some infants develop feeding disorders, refusing or unable to consume enough liquids or solids necessary to achieve nutritional adequacy. Feeding disorders occur in up to 3% to 10% of children, with the highest prevalence rates found in children with developmental disabilities or a history of prematurity. Feeding disorders can have significant physical, cognitive, and social consequences, making early identification and treatment essential. This entry focuses on the identification, etiology, assessment, and treatment of feeding disorders in infancy.

Identification

It is fairly normative for infants and children to display feeding difficulties at some point in their development. These normative feeding difficulties typically resolve with minimal or ...

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