The simple act of swallowing takes about 50 pairs of muscles and nerves. For Some children, it's something they just can't do. Now, these kids are getting the help they need-without even leaving their own high chairs.
Mealtime has never looked so good to Elizabeth Rynd. For the first two years of her son's life, he never ate a single meal. Andrew was born with a rare condition; milk would go into his lung and he couldn't cough it out.
"He stopped breathing and his lips turned blue," Elizabeth said.
He didn't know how to chew or swallow. That's where the one-of-a-kind Efeed program came in. It allows children like Andrew to get help via the internet from an entire team of specialists.
For thousands of children-eating does not come naturally. For kids with cerebral palsy, autism, cleft palate and even behavioral problems, programs like e-feed can help.
An occupational therapist, speech pathologist, nurse practitioner and physical therapist in New Jersey joined Fin Nowell and his mom for lunch in Utah.
Fin was born at just 23 weeks. His ability to swallow never developed. Since starting the program last year, Fin no longer relies on his feeding tube completely.
"It was great today, because we feel like we are moving on to the next step which is putting some chewable onto his teeth," said his mom Melissa Nowell.
Now Andrew can also enjoy his favorite foods to the very last bite.
eFeed can be used for initial screenings for out of state families to see if their child is a candidate for an intense four week therapy program at the pediatric feeding and swallowing center. Efeed is also used for follow-ups for out of state families who have completed that therapy.
RESEARCH SUMMARY
WHO DOES FEEDING AND SWALLOWING PROBLEMS AFFECT? Feeding issues affect 25 to 45 percent of children from newborns to adolescents. Approximately 80 percent of children with developmental disabilities have a feeding problem. (SOURCE: www.feedingcenter.org)
CAUSES:
- Birth and genetic defects
- Gastrointestinal defects
- Infection/inflammation
- Premature births
- Developmental disabilities
- Prolonged subsistence on one food
SYMPTOMS:
- Oral motor difficulties
- Difficulty with solid foods or table foods (i.e. gagging, spitting out, vomiting)
- Feeding/Swallowing difficulties secondary to neurological impairment
- Difficulty sucking
- Picky eaters
- Coughing or choking with feeding
- Recurrent respiratory infections
- Changes in breathing patterns with oral feeding
- Hyper/Hypo sensitivity
A CHILD'S DEVELOPMENTAL PATTERN IN FEEDING AND SWALLOWING:
- 1-3 months during breastfeeding, sucking and swallowing should be rhythmical and coordinated
- 6 months- able to accept and swallow pureed foods
- 9 months- upper lip is used to remove food from spoon; mashed table food can be introduced
- 12 months- can bite and chew a soft cookie; typically able to tolerate soft finger foods and mashed table food
- 18 months- able to drink from a cup with assistance, still with some spillage; experience a variety of tastes and textures
- 24 months- can chew most table foods easily; can drink from a cup or straw
TREATMENT: If left untreated, it can lead to malnutrition, dehydration and respiratory problems. Treatment is done by encouraging children to accept and swallow new foods or textures along with increasing the child's oral motor skills. This is achieved through observed feeding sessions. It may also include specific swallowing exercises to improve muscle movement or function.(SOURCE: www.bhc.org and www.feedingcenter.org)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Nancy Collins, Director
PR/Marketing,
(973)754 -4500
collinsn@sjhmc.org
