1. NUTRITION AS IT RELATES TO CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTHCARE NEEDS
Chris Linn, Executive Director

2. PURPOSE OF TODAY
Understand the complexity of feeding and swallowing struggles and the importance of early identification
Family story
Discuss the importance of team collaboration in order to best support the infant/child/family
Infant and Child Feeding Questionnaire©

3. Statistics Feeding problems & children at risk
Over 200 diagnosis are associated with feeding struggles:
Prematurity and extended NICU stays, congenital heart disease, respiratory and airway diseases, autism, cerebral palsy, craniofacial disorders, genetic disorders, etc.

4. FAMILY STORY - EMILIE Born 3/15/03 at 25 weeks 3 days gestation 1.9 oz
Discharged on oral feeds, supplemental oxygen and apnea monitor
At home feeds - arching, crying, vomiting, turning away from the bottle, trouble breathing, lips turning slightly blue
Diagnosed with reflux, silent aspiration and mild cerebral palsy

5. NICU STATISTICS
Many NICU graduates go home with special healthcare needs
Why do over 50% of preemie parents report poor feedings by 6 months of age?
Why do 20% of preterm infants meet the criteria for “failure-to-thrive” by 8 months adjusted age?
Kirkby, et al., 2007; Hawdon, et al, 2000; Cerro, et al., 2002; Kelleher, et al., 1993

6. Child Medical Cognitive Motor Skills Sensory Social & Emotional
communications
Food Choices &
Nutrition
Sensory
Motor Skills
Social &
Emotional
Medical
Environment

7. COORDINATION OF CARE Multidisciplinary Core Feeding Team:
Parent/Caregiver
Physician
Psychologist
Speech & Language Pathologist
Occupational Therapist
Dietitian
Nurse
Other Important Sub Specialists:
Gastroenterologist
Ear Nose Throat
Pulmonologist
Cardiologist
Allergist
Etc.

8. INFANT AND CHILD FEEDING QUESTIONNAIRE©
feedingmatters.org/questionnaire
Authored by nationally-recognized feeding experts
Aimed to help improve early identification
Questions are age-specific based upon the birth date of the child and adjusted if the child was born prematurely
Questionnaires available through 36 months. After 36 months, all feeding skills should be mature
Red Flags indicate there may be a potential feeding struggle

9. Questions?