[Choking phobia: care plan in children and adolescents]

Eating disorders are a common problem in childhood. Swallowing phobia is characterised by fear of choking on having consumed food, liquids or tablets. Although they are considered a minor disorder and have low prevalence, there has been an increase in its incidence in children and adolescents in the past few years. The analysis of four cases treated in our day hospital for this specific phobia provides an assessment and the care necessary for its treatment and solution, in collaboration with other professionals and the family. The importance of the role that nurses have in the treatment of this psychological disorder is emphasised, as well admission to Day Units, the correct application of the treatment plan, the establishment of robust and reliable links with the family and the patient, and the motivation for therapeutic change by the whole family. It is essential to include the disorder in the differential diagnosis of eating disorders in children, as well as knowledge of this by community workers, in order to establish adequate early treatment to improve therapeutic outcomes.