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Feeding difficulties in children with CHARGE syndrome: prevalence, risk factors, and prognosis

Cindy Dobbelsteyn1, Sean D Peacocke, Kim Blake

  • 1School of Human Communication Disorders, Dalhousie University, 5599 Fenwick Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 1R2. cindy.dobbelsteyn@dal.ca

Dysphagia
|November 21, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Children with CHARGE syndrome often have feeding problems. Cranial nerve issues, not heart problems, are linked to severe feeding difficulties and tube feeding needs.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Genetics
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • CHARGE syndrome presents complex feeding challenges in children.
  • Long-term feeding difficulties are common, impacting quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and nature of feeding difficulties in children with CHARGE syndrome.
  • To explore the relationship between clinical characteristics and feeding development.

Main Methods:

  • A survey using two questionnaires, including the Pediatric Assessment Scale for Severe Feeding Problems, was completed by parents of 39 children.
  • Data collected focused on feeding difficulties and clinical features of CHARGE syndrome.

Main Results:

  • A high prevalence of long-term feeding issues was observed, with approximately 90% requiring tube feeding.
  • Cranial nerve dysfunction was identified as the primary factor impacting feeding, leading to issues like weak sucking/chewing, swallowing difficulties, reflux, and aspiration.
  • Choanal atresia and heart malformations were not significantly associated with feeding severity or long-term tube feeding.

Conclusions:

  • Cranial nerve dysfunction is a key predictor of severe feeding difficulties in CHARGE syndrome.
  • Early identification of these dysfunctions is crucial for timely intervention by feeding specialists.
  • Findings suggest a need for ongoing specialized feeding support for affected children.

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