Maternal Psychopathology and Psychomotor Development of Children With GERD

Abstract

Maternal psychopathology, especially insecure attachment, may play a role in the feeding problems in children with GERD. Children with GERD should be examined for maternal psychopathology and feeding problems so that maladaptive feeding behaviors can receive appropriate intervention before the development of negative reinforcement to feeding. The psychomotor development of children should be kept in mind.

A neurobiological model for cry-fuss problems in the first three to four months of life

“…A retrospective study of 1467 children with sensory processing and autistic spectrum disorders found an increased rate of early regulatory problems [85]; a prospective study of 96 infants diagnosed with excessive crying in the first twelve weeks demonstrated an increased incidence of allergy and behavioural problems at ten years of age [86]; and a retrospective study of 208 children older than six years presenting with migraines showed they were more likely to have cried excessively in the first few months of life [87]. Widespread unnecessary medicalization of cry-fuss problems in the first three to four months predisposes to allergy and GORD in later infancy; allergy is associated with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes [88], and GORD is associated with maternal psychological disturbance and persistent infant feeding problems [89]. A large multi-centre trial demonstrates that cry-fuss problems predispose mothers to postnatal depression [10]; another large-scale study demonstrates that crying babies are at risk of physically abusive behaviours from caregivers [11].…”

How mothers interact with children with suspected cow's milk allergy symptoms

“…In a report on feeding disorders, CMA was reported in 43% of organic onset paediatric feeding disorder patients . Increased feeding disorder rates have also been found in infants with eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases and infant gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) . Infantile feeding disorder (FD) may be triggered by repetitive vomiting and traumatic feeding, as a result of bottle refusal , both of which may occur in GI‐manifested CMA.…”

How mothers perceive infants with unspecific gastrointestinal symptoms suggestive of cow's milk allergy?

“…Problematic mother–child relations in turn may augment the child's symptoms. Albeit speculative in GI‐CMPA, but shown in other GI diseases in childhood , maternal anxiety traits may moderate this process. Here, we did not study maternal psychometrics.…”