Abnormal Eating Behaviors Are Common in Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Objective To compare the eating behaviors and nutrition-related concerns in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) with those in typically-developing children. Study design A survey that assessed eating behaviors was completed between October 2013 and May 2014 by the caregivers of children screened for FASD at the University of Minnesota's Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Program, and typically-developing children recruited from that clinic or from the Research Participation Core of the Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin. Results Compared with controls (N=81), children with FASD (N=74) had delayed acquisition of self-feeding behavior (P<0.001) and solid food introduction (P<0.001). Impaired satiety was common and independent of medication use: 23.0% were never full/satisfied, 31.1% snacked constantly, and 27.0% concealed food (all P≤0.002). They consumed the equivalent of an additional meal/snack daily (P<0.01). Children with FASD were more likely to have a past diagnosis of underweight (P<0.001). Mean body mass index was significantly reduced for males (P=0.009) but not females (P=0.775) with FASD, and only two children with FASD were currently underweight. Children with FASD were more physically active (P<0.01). Conclusion Abnormal eating patterns are common in children with FASD and may contribute to their delayed growth and nutritional inadequacies. Their poor satiety may reflect poor impulse control. Children with FASD may benefit from diet counseling. Conversely, some hyperphagic children may warrant referral for FASD screening.

Prenatal alcohol exposure programmes offspring disease: insulin resistance in adult males in a rat model of acute exposure

“…; Amos‐Kroohs et al . ). Our results are more consistent with a study conducted in mice, which found no changes in food preference as a result of PAE (Amos‐Kroohs et al .…”

“…; Amos‐Kroohs et al . ) also report dysregulated eating behaviours and food preference, potentially contributing to a propensity towards diabetes or other metabolic dysfunction and associated comorbidities such as obesity.…”

Dietary choline levels modify the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure in rats

“…Although alcohol-induced undernutrition has been considered one of the provocative factors for FASD (Abel and Hannigan, 1995; Keen et al, 2010), the concomitant effects of alcohol consumption and specific nutrient deficiencies on the developing fetus are not well-understood (Amos-Kroohs et al, 2016; Fuglestad et al, 2013; Nguyen et al, 2016; Werts et al, 2014), nor are the long-lasting effects of prenatal ethanol on nutritional status and metabolism of the child. Our findings illustrate that suboptimal dietary choline during pregnancy exacerbates ethanol’s teratogenic effects.…”

Maternal iron nutriture as a critical modulator of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder risk in alcohol-exposed pregnancies

“…Alcohol abuse may exacerbate nutrient deficiencies because the alcohol calories displace nutrient-dense foods and because alcohol may impair nutrient absorption and utilization, in part by disrupting liver and gut function (Bishehsari et al 2017), but also by increasing intestinal bleeding and nutrient losses in stool. Alcohol-exposed pregnancies may also have a lower likelihood of prenatal vitamin use (Amos-Kroohs et al 2016; Carlson et al 2017). …”