RESUMEN
To describe the prevalence of feeding problems (FPs) in children aged 10, 18, and 36 months who visited Swedish Child Health Services. Methods: Parents of children attending regular 10-, 18-, and 36-month visits at the child health care centers (CHCCs) in Sweden answered a questionnaire including a Swedish version of the Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS) as well as demographic questions. CHCCs were stratified according to a sociodemographic index. Results: Parents of 238 girls (115) and boys (123) completed the questionnaire. Using international thresholds for FP detection, 8.4% of the children had a total frequency score (TFS) indicating FP. Based on the total problem score (TPS), the result was 9.3%. The mean score for all children was 62.7 for TFS (median 60; range 41-100), and 2.2 for TPS (median 0; range 0-22). Children aged 36 months had a significantly higher average TPS score than younger children, but TFS scores did not differ by age. There were no significant difference in gender, parents' education, or sociodemographic index. Conclusion: Prevalence numbers found in this study are similar to those found in studies with BPFAS in other countries. Children 36 months of age had a significantly higher prevalence of FP than children aged 10 and 18 months. Young children with FP should be referred to health care specializing in FP and PFD. Creating awareness of FP and PFD in primary care facilities and child health services may facilitate early detection and intervention for children with FP.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Children affected by Paediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) cannot consume enough nourishment by mouth. PFD is highly prevalent and can affect the child's growth and development as well as family life. AIM: To illuminate Swedish parents' experiences of living with a child with PFD. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews via telephone or video calls were conducted with 14 purposefully recruited mothers and six fathers. The interviews were analysed using content analysis. Ethics approval was obtained, and the parents all gave informed consent. RESULTS: Four overarching themes emerged: Living with stress; Advocating for the child; Adapting family life; and Gaining hope. Parents described fearing for their child's life and health, feeling pressure over meals and being emotionally affected. They told of experiencing a lack of understanding from healthcare professionals, friends and family. Parents expressed a struggle for help, the need for early interventions and more effective treatment, and developed strategies for coping with the demands of feeding and caring for their child, accepting their living reality. Finding support from a network helped, but the adaptation of daily life affected their family relations. They felt gratitude towards helpful professionals and relief and joy when their child was doing better. CONCLUSIONS: A more cohesive chain of care is important for children with PFD, and guidelines and educational support for healthcare providers are needed. Parental experiences provide a base for knowledge for further development of early detection and intervention for children with PFD.
