Father’s role in infantile anorexia

Abstract

Organic diseases account for only 16–30% of early feeding disorders. Duringthe infancy period, mother-child relationship is in the center of feeding anddisturbances in this relationship can also cause feeding disorders. Infantileanorexia (IA) usually begins within the first three years of age, but it hasmost commonly been observed to emerge between 9 and 18 months of age,a time during which babies transition to spoon and self-feeding. It is alsoworth noting that babies start to gain autonomy during this time frame. Thepresent study discusses the case of an 8-month-old girl diagnosed with IAafter ruling out food allergies, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, malrotation,and neurological problems. The patient was diagnosed with IA was treatedwith the relational regulation of parents and active participation of herfather during the treatment process. It is found that mother–child relationaldisturbances and conflicts decreased dyadic reciprocity and non-appropriateaffects in feeding times are associated with IA. Effective treatment strategiesfor non-organic feeding disorders might be developed by giving importance tomaternal mental health and providing paternal involvement in baby caregiving.