Management of Severe Feeding Dysfunction in Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Abstract

In the past three years, we have seen three children who required prolonged inpatient admissions for severe feeding dysfunction resulting in nutritional and growth problems. The pregnancies were significant for severe maternal alcohol abuse during the entire pregnancy. All of the subjects had multiple physical find ings and dysmorphic features seen in children with mild to severe fetal alcohol syndrome. Feeding evaluations showed significant delays in oral motor develop ment. Specific oral motor dysfunction was not a commonality and did not appear to be a major determinant in delays in feeding development. Continued assessment revealed that the babies had limited suck patterns and were consistently noted to tire easily. Each required feeding by either gastrostomy and/or nasogastric feeding for prolonged periods of time. They started initial feeding by mouth at about 8 to 10 months. The times for complete oral feeding were 14, 17, and 18 months.