Pediatric feeding therapy in Dubai and Sharjah

What causes feeding or swallowing disorders?

The child can suffer from feeding or swallowing disorders if they also suffer from the following problems:

1. Nervous system disorders - It can cause malfunctions of the tongue, oral and pharyngeal muscles, for example- cerebral palsy or meningitis.

2. Reflux problems

3. Being born prematurely

4. Having congenital heart disease

5. Cleft lip or palate

6. Autism

7. Breathing problems, like asthma or other diseases

8. Congenital problems affecting head and neck movements

9. Medicines that reduce appetite and make the child sleepy

10. Sensory issues

11. Behavioural problems

Signs and symptoms of a child with feeding problems

1. Stiff, arched back while feeding

2. Crying while feeding

3. Withdrawing and spilling food from mouth while feeding

4. Unable to suck mother's milk

5. Having trouble breathing while eating and drinking

6. Refusing to eat or drink

7. Eating only soft and smooth textured food

8. Munching a lot

9. Holding food in their mouth

10. Having issues chewing or gulping the food

11. Coughing, gagging or drooling during meals

12. Stuffing food and then expelling it from the mouth

13. Gurgling or breathing heavily after meals

14. Spitting or throwing up a lot




Some paediatricians also refer children who do not gain enough weight as per their age group to a feeding therapist to check for signs of feeding disorders.

How common are feeding disorders?

5-20% of children are diagnosed with feeding disorders. Feeding disorders can exist in the form of muscle, tongue or pharyngeal deformity that cause problems in chewing, sucking or gulping.

Diagnosis

When diagnosing, our feeding therapists can conduct a suitable combination of the following examinations.

1. Examine tongue and mouth surface.

2. Examine pharyngeal muscle movement while swallowing

3. Examine poor oral-motor skills and sensory problems

4. Closely observe the child's behaviour while eating

5. Take up endoscopic assessments of the mouth




The therapist would also discuss with parents the child’s medical history and development-related issues to reach a conclusive decision.

Treatment of feeding disorders

Feeding disorder treatment differs for all children. Depending upon the individual problems, the treatment module will include:

1. Feeding therapy

2. Food swaps

3. Changing food textures

4. Prescribing medicines to alleviate reflux disorders




Neuropedia is the first and one of the best pediatric neurology centres in Dubai and Sharjah. Our team comprises highly qualified doctors specially trained to treat various pediatric disorders. If your child also shows any feeding disorders symptoms, visit our centre for pediatric feeding therapy in Dubai and Sharjah.