Feeding the Disabled Child, Vol. 140

Disabled children often have feeding difficulty. Choking, food spillage and protracted mealtimes can pose enormous problems for their carers and the accompanying nutritional deficit imposes additional burdens on the affected child. The aetiology of these problems is placed in context by a detailed description of normal feeding development in infants. The often under-recognised nutritional and neurodevelopmental consequences of inadequate nutrient intake together with the respiratory complications and the important problems of constipation and drooling which may accompany oro-motor dysfunction are detailed. The clinical and nutritional assessment and the application of diagnostic imaging techniques in the evaluation of such children are described. The methods of management of these children's problems form the core of this volume and they range from oro-motor therapy to various techniques for enteral feeding. The ethical issues raised by the vigorous intervention needed to improve the nutritional state of severely disabled children is explored, together with the need to provide ongoing psychological support for their carers.

The book contains black-and-white illustrations.

A unique and very practical manual providing guidance on effective management of feeding problems.

Bruce K. Shapiro

Feeding and nutritional problems constitute a major component of the care of children with multiple neurological impairments. Until this time, there has not been a comprehensive interdisciplinary text that focused on these problems. The purpose is to record important advances in the understanding and care of feeding and nutrition problems in children with neurological impairment. To this end, the editors brought together a multidisciplinary panel of experts to review such areas as the impact of feeding difficulties; the development of eating skills in infants and young children; the causes of feeding difficulties in disabled children; assessment of feeding difficulty -- clinical, nutritional, and diagnostic imaging; drooling; constipation; and therapy (including enteral feeding). The editors also address the ethics and implications of the treatment programs. This book targets practitioners of a wide variety of disciplines. It is a must for those who deal with children with multiple neurological impairments and for those whose focus is on feeding problems or nutrition. Pediatricians, specialists in neurodevelopmental disabilities, child neurologists, gastroenterologists, and surgeons may find this book a useful compendium of a large body of information. Occupational therapists, speech/language therapists, and nutritionists who focus on children will find this book particularly strong in its medical aspects. This is an easy book to read. The margins are wide, typefaces easy to read, and chapters logically organized. The radiographs are difficult to read and would be aided by line drawings. Extensive, current references will permit readers to expand their knowledge. This book willlikely evolve into the core text in this area. It covers a great deal of material about a focused area in a comprehensive, practical, clinically applicable fashion. It will help the care of children with neurological impairments.

Sullivan, Peter B., MA, MD, MRCP (John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford); Rosenbloom, Lewis, FRCP (Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool)

The contributors represent the specialties of pediatrics, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and pediatric neurology. Most are from universities in the U.S. and the U.K., including Univ of Virginia, Univ of Pennsylvania, and Alder Hey Children's Hospital.