Incidence and nature of feeding problems in young children referred to a paediatric HIV service in London: FEAD screening.
A detailed screening assessment was carried out on two matched groups of young children; one group was HIV-infected and the other was not. Screening included assessments of growth, development and food intake. Parents were also interviewed about their child's feeding and mealtime behaviours. Half of the HIV-infected children were reported with serious feeding problems; significantly higher than in the uninfected group. More of the children in the HIV-infected group were found to have poorer growth and developmental weaknesses than in the uninfected group. A combination of physical and psychological factors are suggested as contributing to these feeding difficulties. Early monitoring of feeding behaviours, daily routines and food intake, together with systematic growth and developmental measures are suggested as important components in the care and management of HIV-infected children.
Melvin
D
D
Department of Clinical Health Psychology, St Mary's Hospital, London, UK.
Wright
C
C
Goddard
S
S
D000886:Anthropometry; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005183:Failure to Thrive / Q000453:epidemiology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D012307:Risk Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*