Children with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) face significant health challenges. A study from Karolinska Institutet, published in JAMA Pediatrics, reveals that these children are at a higher risk for various mental and physical health issues. Early diagnosis is crucial to provide better care for them.
ARFID makes children avoid certain foods due to their taste, texture, smell, or appearance. Some kids may even be afraid of choking or vomiting. Others simply have a low appetite and don’t care much about food.
This eating disorder can lead to serious problems, such as malnutrition, stunted growth, or in some cases, weight gain. For instance, a child might only eat beige foods like chips and pancakes. In extreme situations, ARFID can cause severe health issues, including blindness from a vitamin A deficiency.
— Lisa Dinkler, Assistant Professor, Karolinska Institutet
The study looked at nearly 31,000 children from the Swedish Twin Registry. Among them, 616 children (about 2%) were diagnosed with ARFID between ages 6 and 12. The findings showed that these children were ten times more likely to have conditions like intellectual disabilities or autism.
ARFID was also linked to other health issues. Children with this disorder had a sevenfold increased risk of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, six times the risk of epilepsy, and five times the risk of chronic lung diseases.
Additionally, kids with ARFID had more health diagnoses and spent more time in hospitals than their peers. As Dr. Dinkler noted, “ARFID is not just an eating disorder. It is complex and often connected to other serious health problems.” This highlights the need for healthcare workers to understand the broader needs of these children.
The researchers plan to investigate how ARFID develops as children grow and what genetic or environmental factors might contribute to its connection with other health issues.
The study received funding from several organizations, including the Swedish Society for Medical Research and the Swedish Mental Health Fund. Some researchers also have received grants from various companies related to health.
For more detailed insights, you can check the full study in JAMA Pediatrics: doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.6065.
Source link
Children, Choking, Eating Disorder, Food, Pediatrics, Research
