Background: To characterize the nature and severity of feeding difficulties in Asian young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and identify potential predictors of poorer feeding outcomes.Methods: Cross sectional study of children aged 1e7 years with ASD. Parents completed the following: demographic information, brief autism mealtime behavior inventory, aberrant behavior checklist (ABC), behavioral pediatrics feeding assessment scale (BPFAS) and caregiver feeding style questionnaire. Additional information (medical data, cognitive and developmental assessment results, e.g., Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Second Edition, Autism Diagnostic Interview, Revised, Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales, etc.) were subsequently obtained from electronic medical records retrospectively by one of the study team members. Results: Of the 67 children, 28.4% had feeding difficulties (high BPFAS total frequency score). Caregiver feeding styles were authoritarian (34.8%) or indulgent (39.4%). Child characteristics did not significantly predict for the severity of feeding difficulties. Univariate analysis revealed that authoritarian feeding style (p Z 0.001) and ABC hyperactivity score (p Z 0.006) were significantly associated with BPFAS severity score. Multivariate analysis revealed that ABC hyperactivity score remained significantly associated with BPFAS severity score after controlling for all other ABC subscale scores. A final regression model including all child characteristics and ABC scores did not reveal any significant predictors of BPFAS total frequency score (R2 Z 0.557).

Cyclical vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a functional, debilitating disorder of childhood frequently leading to hospitalization. Affected children usually experience a stereotypical pattern of vomiting though it may vary between different individuals. The vomiting is intense often bilious, and accompanied by disabling nausea. Identifiable precipitating factors for CVS include psychosocial stressors, infections, lack of sleep and occasionally even food triggers. Often, it may be difficult to distinguish episodes of CVS from other causes of acute abdomen and altered consciousness. Thus, the diagnosis of CVS remains largely one of exclusion. Investigations routinely done during the work-up of a child with suspected CVS include both blood and imaging modalities. Plasma lactate, ammonia, amino acid and acylcarnitine profiles as well as urine organic acid profile are indicated to exclude inborn errors of metabolism. The treatment remains challenging and targeted at prevention or shortening of the attacks and can be considered as abortive, supportive and prophylactic. Use of non-pharmacological therapy is also part of the management of CVS. The prognosis of CVS is variable. More insight into the pathogenesis of this disorder as well as role of non-pharmacological therapy is needed.

No abstract