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Feeding Problems Including Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Gudrun Nygren1,2, Petra Linnsand1,2, Jonas Hermansson2

  • 1Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Frontiers in Pediatrics
|December 30, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Feeding problems are common in preschool children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with many meeting criteria for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Early intervention and multidisciplinary assessments are crucial for these children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Psychology
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Clinical Nutrition

Background:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition often associated with feeding difficulties.
  • Feeding problems, including Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), can significantly impact a child's development and well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of feeding problems, specifically ARFID, in preschool children diagnosed with ASD.
  • To understand the early onset and heterogeneity of these feeding issues within this population.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective longitudinal study design.
  • Inclusion of 46 preschool children with ASD from a multiethnic, low-resource setting in Gothenburg, Sweden.
  • Systematic data collection on feeding behaviors and diagnostic criteria for ARFID.

Main Results:

  • Feeding problems were identified in 76% of the children with ASD.
  • A significant subset, 28%, met the diagnostic criteria for ARFID.
  • Feeding issues presented with early onset and considerable heterogeneity.

Conclusions:

  • High prevalence of feeding problems and ARFID in preschool children with ASD underscores the need for early identification.
  • Multidisciplinary assessment is essential for both ASD and co-occurring feeding disorders.
  • Further refinement of feeding disorder classifications in pediatric populations is warranted.

Keywords:
ARFIDASDPFDearly regulatory problemsfeeding disorders

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