Toward Better Understanding of Pediatric Feeding Disorder: A Proposed Framework for Patient Characterization

Area of Science:

• Pediatric medicine
• Clinical psychology
• Nutritional science
• Speech-language pathology

Background:

• Pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) lacks standardized research methods.
• Existing patient characterization varies across institutions.
• Advances in PFD definition necessitate updated assessment tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• Develop a standardized Case Report Form (CRF) for pediatric feeding disorder (PFD).
• Establish a foundation for methodologically sound PFD research.
• Improve patient characterization and clinical assessment.

Main Methods:

• Convened a 28-member multidisciplinary expert panel.
• Reviewed current PFD definitions and literature.
• Incorporated expert consensus and institutional best practices.

Main Results:

• Developed a PFD CRF with four characterization domains: medical, nutrition, feeding skill, and psychosocial.
• The CRF aligns with PFD diagnostic criteria.
• A protocol guides the standardized assessment process.

Conclusions:

• The PFD CRF promotes standardized patient characterization.
• Enhances methodological rigor in PFD research.
• Serves as a valuable clinical tool for providers and researchers.