Feeding problems, eating disorders, and nutritional status of Polish children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders – a cross-sectional pilot study

Introduction
The pathomechanism of neurodevelopmental disorders includes disruption of sensory channels leading to cognitive-behavioural disorders. Feeding disorders (FED) are defined as unconscious or intentional periods of refusal and/or low food intake. Food intake is selective or accompanied by physiological/psychological inability in the process of food intake. The aim of this study was to assess feeding difficulties, nutritional status, and eating disorders in children diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorde

Material and methods
One hundred and forty-one patients of specialist neuropaediatric institutions with diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders were enrolled in the study. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were as follows: consent of the patients’ parents to conduct the study, age of the child, and diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders. The research tool was a self-administered survey questionnaire including the patients’ metric data, type of disorder and its course, nutritional status using Cole’s parameter, and feeding behaviour.

Results
Eating disorders were present in 26.24%, while FED were present in 74.47% of children with neurodevelopmental disorders – autism spectrum. The nutritional status of the paediatric population was “at risk of malnutrition” (68.09%).

Conclusions
Nutritional status according to the considered guidelines represented normal weight and the risk of malnutrition. Feeding disorders together with eating disorders occurred with diagnoses of neurodevelopmental spectrum disorders. The neuropaediatric group was characterised by feeding and eating disorders (sensory feeding neophobia and pervasive craving disorder) but showed no association with the type of food texture accepted. The range of measured and accepted temperatures and the consumption of foods with specific visual-organoleptic characteristics targeted feeding disorders. Children with neurodevelopmental disorders will require feeding therapy with a sensory diet.