Caregiver stress and outcomes of children with pediatric feeding disorders treated in an intensive interdisciplinary program

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the impact of an intensive interdisciplinary feeding program on caregiver stress and child outcomes of children with feeding disorders across three categories.

Methods: Children were categorized into either tube dependent, liquid dependent, or food selective groups. Outcomes for caregiver stress levels, child mealtime behaviors, weight, and calories were examined at admission and discharge for 121 children. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to examine differences pre- and post-treatment and across feeding categories.

Results: Caregiver stress, child mealtime behaviors, weight, and caloric intake improved significantly following treatment in the intensive feeding program, regardless of category placement.

Conclusions: Few studies have examined the impact of an intensive interdisciplinary approach on caregiver stress, as well as on child outcome variables with such a diverse population. This study provides support that regardless of a child's medical and feeding history, an intensive interdisciplinary approach significantly improves caregiver stress and child outcomes.