Four-Fold Increase of the Number of Children Diagnosed With Paediatric Feeding Disorder in Northern Sweden in 2012-2022.

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the annual prevalence and characteristics of Paediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) in Västerbotten county, Sweden, during the years 2012-2022.

Methods: In this retrospective study, medical records of patients attending paediatric clinics with possible feeding problems were identified by applying pre-defined diagnostic and procedure codes. Diagnostic criteria of PFD were verified. Additional data including nutritional status and enteral feeding tube placement were retrieved.

Results: Annual prevalence of PFD increased from 1.2 (95% CI, 0.9-1.5) per 1000 children in 2012 to 5.0 (95% CI, 4.4-5.6) per 1000 children in 2022. In 2022, the prevalence in children < 5 years of age was 10.2 (95% CI, 8.7-12.0) per 1000. Of those, 28% had thinness grades 2 or 3 (moderate or severe thinness), and 31% were fed via nasogastric tube or gastrostomy.

Conclusion: Prevalence of PFD has increased in the last decade, most notably for children under the age of five. High rates of malnutrition and enteral feeding in our study population indicate that we identified only the most severe cases of PFD. Given the rising prevalence of PFD, further research on the condition is of high priority.