Long‐term Outcomes of Children With Pediatric Feeding Disorders Treated in an Inpatient Multidisciplinary Program

ABSTRACT The purpose of this longitudinal observational study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary inpatient treatment model for feeding disorders by analyzing long‐term nutritional and health outcomes 12 months following discharge. Fifty patients completed the study. Average caloric intake by mouth as a percentage of goal for gastrostomy tube (GT)‐dependent patients (n = 31) increased from pre‐admit, week 1, and week 2 of the inpatient program (30%, 70%, and 84%, respectively), and was sustained from week 3 to 12‐month follow‐up (85% and 86%, respectively). Eighty‐one percentage were discharged without GT support and 65% remained off GT support at 12 months. Oral supplement dependence for non‐GT patients (n = 19) decreased from pre‐admit, discharge, and 12‐month follow‐up (51%, 31%, and 19% of caloric intake, respectively). BMI z‐scores improved during and after treatment. The present study demonstrated an effective approach for treatment of pediatric feeding disorders, including decreased reliance on oral supplementation and GT dependence.