Find comprehensive information on Pediatric Feeding Disorder (F), also known as Feeding Difficulty or Feeding Problem. This resource covers clinical documentation, medical coding, and healthcare best practices for diagnosing and managing F in pediatric patients. Learn about symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and treatment options for Feeding Difficulty, supporting accurate medical coding and improved patient care.
Also known as
Feeding difficulties
Problems with the process of feeding, not necessarily related to appetite.
Other eating disorders
Covers atypical eating problems not classified elsewhere, potentially including feeding difficulties.
Feeding problems of newborn
Specifically relates to feeding difficulties encountered by newborn infants.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the feeding difficulty due to a demonstrable structural abnormality?
Yes
Specify the structural abnormality.
No
Is there a known medical condition causing the feeding difficulty?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Persistent difficulty eating, leading to inadequate intake. |
| Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder |
| Pica |
Coding F98.2 (Feeding Difficulty) lacks specificity. CDI should clarify the underlying cause, type, and severity for accurate reimbursement and quality metrics.
Pediatric feeding disorders have age-specific codes. Incorrect coding can impact medical necessity reviews and statistical analysis of patient populations.
Feeding problems often coexist with other conditions (e.g., autism, prematurity). Audits should ensure complete documentation and coding of all relevant diagnoses.
Q: What are the key red flags for pediatric feeding disorder in early childhood that clinicians should be aware of during developmental screenings?
A: Early identification of pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) is crucial for timely intervention. Clinicians should be vigilant for red flags during developmental screenings, including persistent refusal of specific food textures or groups, difficulty transitioning to age-appropriate foods (e.g., from purees to solids), prolonged mealtimes exceeding 30 minutes, limited growth trajectory despite adequate caloric intake according to growth charts, and signs of aspiration or choking during feeding. Furthermore, observe for atypical oral motor patterns such as tongue thrusting, lip retraction, or poor jaw stability. Consider implementing standardized feeding assessments like the Schedule for Oral Motor Assessment (SOMA) for a comprehensive evaluation. Explore how early intervention services can support both the child and family in addressing identified feeding difficulties.
Q: How can clinicians differentiate between typical picky eating and a true pediatric feeding disorder requiring intervention, considering developmental stages and individual differences?
A: Distinguishing between picky eating and a pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) requires careful consideration of several factors. While picky eating is a common developmental phase, PFD presents with more severe and persistent characteristics. Look for significant distress during mealtimes, extreme food selectivity impacting nutritional intake and growth, and interference with family mealtime routines and social interactions. While a typically picky eater might refuse a few vegetables, a child with PFD might restrict their intake to a very limited range of foods, textures, or even colors, potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies. Consider the childs developmental stage and temperament, but persistent challenges warranting intervention often involve active food refusal, fear of new foods (neophobia), and oral-motor skill deficits. Learn more about comprehensive diagnostic criteria for PFD outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to guide your clinical decision-making.
Patient presents with pediatric feeding disorder, also documented as feeding difficulty or feeding problem. Assessment reveals challenges in oral intake impacting nutritional status and growth. Symptoms include but are not limited to prolonged mealtimes exceeding 30 minutes, refusal of age-appropriate textures and variety of foods, difficulty transitioning to solids, gagging, choking, or vomiting during meals. Differential diagnosis includes dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), food allergies, sensory processing disorder, and developmental delays. Evaluation involved clinical observation of feeding behavior, parent interview regarding feeding history and mealtime routines, and review of growth charts. Diagnosis of feeding difficulty (F-code) is supported by clinical findings and parental report. Plan includes referral to occupational therapy for feeding therapy, focusing on oral motor skills development, sensory integration strategies, and behavioral interventions to address feeding aversion. Dietary counseling with a registered dietitian is recommended to optimize nutritional intake and address any potential nutrient deficiencies. Follow-up scheduled to monitor progress and adjust treatment plan as needed. Medical coding and billing will reflect the diagnosis of feeding difficulty and associated interventions.