TITLE:
Hospitalization Can Correct Behavioral Feeding Disorders in Children by Resetting the Pedagogic Climate
AUTHORS:
Ellen van der Gaag, Miriam Münow
KEYWORDS:
Behavioral Feeding Disorder, Hospitalisation, Behavioral Contingencies, Pediatrics
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.4 No.2,
May
22,
2014
ABSTRACT: Background: Behavioral
feeding disorders are common among children, which sometimes become
progressive, and consequently, children may refuse to eat anything. Parents
have lots of difficulties to reset such a disturbed eating pattern. The aim of
this study was to perform an analysis of clinical intervention in behavioral
feeding disorders in young children. Methods: We conducted a retrospective
analysis of data of 28 children aged 1 - 9 years with behavioral feeding disorders.
A pediatrician and pediatric social worker conducted the training in two
groups: outpatient or inpatient setting. Both groups were treated with parental
education and guidance. The inpatient group also had a temporarily (2 weeks)
resetting of the pedagogic climate in a pediatric ward of a general hospital
under guidance of a pediatric social worker. Results: Almost all parents were
inconsistent in applying appropriate behavioral contingencies during meals.
Eleven patients followed 8 months of outpatient treatment and 25 patients
followed 2 weeks of inpatient treatment. The overall success rate of outpatient
treatment after 2 weeks was 18%, and that of inpatient treatment after 8 months
was 88%. The corrected relapse rates are 18% and 56% respectively after 6
months. Conclusion: Short clinical intervention in a structured pedagogic
environment is a successful treatment in behavioral feeding disorders.
Herewith, pediatricians have a powerful tool for treating behavioral feeding
disorders by temporarily resetting and changing the pedagogic climate.