Measuring feeding difficulties in toddlers with Down syndrome

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Developmental Psychology
• Clinical Nutrition

Background:

• Feeding problems are common in children, with a higher prevalence in those with Down syndrome (DS).
• Early identification of feeding difficulties is crucial and can be aided by validated caregiver-reported screening tools.
• Previous research established the concurrent validity of the Dutch Montreal Children's Hospital Feeding Scale (MCH-FS) in typically developing toddlers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To replicate the concurrent validity of the Dutch MCH-FS in a pilot study involving children with Down syndrome (DS) and their caregivers.
• To assess the association between caregiver-reported feeding problems and observed mealtime behaviors in children with DS.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 32 children with DS (aged 1;0-3;0) and their primary caregivers.
• Caregivers completed the Dutch version of the MCH-FS (SEP).
• Observed mealtime behaviors were recorded and analyzed in relation to SEP scores.

Main Results:

• Children with DS in the sample did not score higher on the SEP compared to their respective norm groups.
• A positive correlation was found between higher SEP scores (indicating more reported feeding problems) and increased instances of food refusal and negative affect during observed meals.
• The screening instrument appears particularly sensitive to negative mealtime interactions in this population.

Conclusions:

• The MCH-FS (SEP) shows potential as a screening tool for identifying feeding issues in young children with Down syndrome.
• The findings suggest the MCH-FS is associated with negative mealtime interactions, differing from previous findings that emphasized eating skills.
• Further research is warranted to fully understand the utility of the MCH-FS in the DS population.