HealthNFitness Tips -- Delicacy is normal in children, but an eating disorder is a pediatric much more serious problem which can affect the physical and mental development of children. A difficult child may refuse certain foods, but still have a nutritious diet. Children with pediatric eating disorder can consume three to four types of food and refuse all food groups, meaning they are not getting enough calories and nutrients for healthy growth and development.
Some children with pediatric feeding disorders have aversions to certain textures and colors, while other children have difficulty self-feeding because of a medical, psychological or developmental problem. Research suggests that up to 10 percent of infants and children have a pediatric feeding disorder.
Symptoms of a pediatric feeding disorder include:
- A sudden change in eating habits that lasts longer than 30 days.
- Choking/coughing during meals.
- Unexplained fatigue and loss of energy.
- Disruptive behavior during meals.
- Delayed development of skills needed to self-feed or consume higher textures.
Early diagnosis and treatment of pediatric feeding disorders is crucial because the longer disorder goes untreated, the more complex it can become. In extreme cases, some children require feeding tubes.
