Symptoms of Pediatric Feeding Disorders Among Individuals with 3q29 Deletion Syndrome: A Case-Control Study

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Addam J Wawrzonek, Emory University; William Sharp, Emory University; Teresa Lindsey Burrell, Emory University; Scott E Gillespie, Emory University; Rebecca M Pollak, Emory University; Melissa M Murphy, Emory University; Jennifer Mulle, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-04-01
• Publisher: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/DBP.0000000000001009
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL PEDIATRICS
• Volume: 43
• Issue: 3
• Start Page: E170
• End Page: E178
• Grant/Funding Information: The work was supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) 1R01MH110701-01A1, NIH T32 GM0008490, and the Emory University Treasure Your Exceptions Project.
• Keywords: Pediatrics; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; feeding problems; 3q29 registry; YOUNG-CHILDREN; genomic disorder; 3q29 deletion syndrome; Psychology, Developmental; STRESS; feeding disorders; ARFID; Social Sciences; Psychology; AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS; Science & Technology; Behavioral Sciences
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Epidemiology

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Objective:The goal of this study was to evaluate symptoms of pediatric feeding disorder in a sample of individuals with 3q29 deletion syndrome (3q29Del). Previous research has found that individuals with 3q29Del may experience elevated feeding concerns in early childhood; however, the specificity of these feeding concerns is not well understood.Methods:We compared individuals with 3q29Del (N = 83) with controls (N = 59) using an 11-item survey that assessed commonly reported symptoms associated with pediatric feeding disorders. An exploratory analysis also examined individuals with 3q29Del with and without a comorbid global developmental delay (GDD) or an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.Results:Caregivers of 3q29Del cases reported higher incidences of feeding concerns on 10 of the 11 items included in the survey. This included statistically significant differences in food refusal behaviors, rejection of 1 or more food groups, and a history of failure to thrive. Parents of children with comorbid GDD were more likely to report concerns regarding food selectivity and problem behaviors during mealtime.Conclusion:The results suggest individuals with 3q29Del experience increased symptoms of pediatric feeding disorder that may require targeted evaluation and intervention for optimal outcomes. Future research should include a more thorough multidisciplinary evaluation to further elucidate symptom severity and optimal treatment strategies.