Birth-related, medical, and diagnostic characteristics in younger versus older children with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)

Journal of Eating Disorders

Research

Luise Brosig¹  Dominik Düplois¹  Ricarda Schmidt¹  Anja Hilbert¹  Franziska Schlensog-Schuster²  Andreas Hiemisch³  Wieland Kiess³ 

[1] Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Leipzig University Medical Center, Stephanstrasse 9a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany;Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Leipzig University Medical Center, Liebigstrasse 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany;University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland;LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103, Leipzig, Germany;Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Center for Pediatric Research, Leipzig University Medical Center, Liebigstrasse 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany;

关键词: Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder;    Age;    Comparison;    Comorbidities;    Perinatal complications;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40337-023-00908-7

 received in 2023-06-12, accepted in 2023-10-08,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundAlthough avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) presents the replacement and extension of feeding disorders of infancy and childhood, previous research into ARFID concentrated mainly on older patients. While birth-related characteristics play an etiologic role in feeding disorders, virtually nothing is known so far in ARFID. Therefore, the first aim of the study was to identify differences in birth-related characteristics in younger vs. older children with ARFID. Second, differences in physical and mental comorbidities, and third, diagnostic features between age groups were analysed.MethodsAmong N = 51 in- and outpatient treatment-seeking patients, n = 23 patients aged 0–5 years (30% girls) and n = 28 patients aged 6–17 years (57% girls), with an interview-based diagnosis of ARFID were included. Data on the pre- and perinatal period and mental and physical comorbidities were derived from patients’ medical records, while diagnostic criteria, main ARFID presentation, and sociodemographic variables were collected through diagnostic interview.ResultsSignificantly, younger patients with ARFID were born more often preterm and had more pre- and perinatal complications and a higher incidence of postnatal invasive procedures. Patients with ARFID aged 0–5 years presented significantly more physical comorbidities and conditions, especially congenital anomalies, while mental comorbidities, especially mood disorders, were significantly more common in patients with ARFID aged 6–17 years. No age differences were found for the distribution of diagnostic criteria and main ARFID presentation.ConclusionThis is the first study which aimed to identify age-specific characteristics in patients with ARFID with potential relevance for diagnosis and treatment. Especially birth-related complications, including invasive procedures postnatally, may be associated with developing ARFID, highlighting the importance of a closer view on these potential risk factors of the disorder. Future research with longitudinal design and larger samples may allow more detailed information on further age-specific associations, symptom trajectories, and age-specific risk factors for ARFID.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023

【 图 表 】

Fig. 2