Eating problems are seen in 3-11% of children. Not every eating problem should be considered as a disorder. Because temporary eating problems are also common in children. Malnutrition is seen as a common eating disorder in developing countries and obesity in developed countries.
Causes
1. Structural abnormalities (50-60%): cleft palate, esophageal stenosis,…
2.Neurological abnormalities (70-75%): intellectual disability, autism, muscle diseases, cerebral palsy,…
3.Behavioral feeding difficulties (85%): Communication between the feeder and the fed disorders, stubbornness, lack of stimulation, fears in children, depression in the child or caregiver, conditioned emotional reactions.
4. Circulation and respiratory problems (5-10%): Coordination disorder in sucking/swallowing functions during feeding.
5.Metabolic problems (2-5%): Fructose intolerance,…
In nutrition, the baby's capacity to recognize hunger, satiety and thirst, in the previous feeding process Experiences, general health status, sensory structure and motor development characteristics are important. As environmental factors; The most important factor is the baby's communication and bonding style with the person performing the feeding.
Feeding and eating disorders of babies or young children:
1.Rumination disorders
A normal It is the repeated removal of swallowed food into the mouth and re-chewing for at least 1 month after the functional period. There should be no biological factor that explains this behavior, and this situation should not occur during the course of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. In this disorder, stomach acid can seriously damage the oral mucosa, gums and cause pain. In this case, the treatment process must be urgent.
2. Pica
It is the continuous eating of non-edible foods for at least 1 month. This edible substance should not be considered appropriate to eat in that culture. The possibility of accompanying autism and especially severe, moderate and very severe mental disabilities is common. This disorder may also indicate that the child has been significantly neglected. It can cause serious health problems such as parasite infection, lead poisoning, growth and development delays, anemia, and intestinal obstruction. ir.
WHAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED DURING THE DIAGNOSIS PHASE OF NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS IN INFANTS OR YOUNG CHILDREN?
*A persistent condition with no significant weight gain or significant weight loss for at least 1 month. not eating enough,
*There is no problem arising from the gastrointestinal system (gastrointestinal reflux, etc.) that would explain the eating disorder,
*It started before the age of 6 and
* Nutritional disorder must not have developed due to another mental disorder or food deprivation.
In the case of nutritional problems seen in the baby in the first months after birth (0-6 months); In addition to supporting existing biological problems, the focus should also be on mother-baby communication style. If the mother has a mental problem such as depression, it should be treated, the mother's self-confidence should be ensured in terms of being able to care for the baby, and her concerns and thoughts of inadequacy should be eliminated. In this process, eating times should be fixed, if possible, with the individual who has more appropriate communication with the baby.
6-36 month old babies; They begin to gain autonomy and try to eat with the spoon in their own hands. During this period, it is important for the parents or primary caregivers to understand somatic sensations such as hunger and satiety and emotions such as anger and love coming from the baby. If the caregiver tries to feed according to his or her own emotions and thoughts, apart from his or her own somatic and emotional needs, problems begin to occur in eating habits.
Eating disorders may also develop in the child after trauma. It usually has a sudden onset due to drowning experience or illness/attempts. In this case, nutrition may also be associated with pain. Sometimes he takes liquid foods and rejects solids. Over time, the development of oral motor muscles slows down, and in the process, the caregiver's anxiety contributes to the development of additional eating and conduct disorders.
Aversion to food for sensory reasons develops in children around the age of 2.
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