Food and Development: Children and Adolescents with Neurodevelopmental and Comorbid Eating Disorders-A Case Series

The impact of psychiatric comorbidities in the diagnosis and treatment of feeding and eating disorders (FEDs) represents an emerging research topic. The current literature, nonetheless, lacks studies investigating the developmental paths of individuals with FEDs and comorbid neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Here, we report 11 cases of children and adolescents with comorbid FEDs and NDDs, as assessed along the neuropsychological, psychopathological, and nutritional developmental pathways. The onset of FED-related psychopathology was preceded, sometimes undiagnosed, by altered neurodevelopmental features leading to specific NDD diagnoses (autism spectrum disorder-ASD; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-ADHD; specific learning disorder-SLD). NDDs appeared to influence the diagnoses and treatments of FEDs, frequently with an impact on socio-relational and emotional premorbid features, and on the possibility to receive and attend FED-targeted treatments. Further studies should longitudinally contribute to assessing the experiences of care and neurodevelopmental pathways of children with FEDs and specific NDD comorbidities.

Automated summary

The impact of psychiatric comorbidities on the diagnosis and treatment of feeding and eating disorders (FEDs) is an important topic of research. However, there is a lack of studies investigating the developmental paths of individuals with comorbid FEDs and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). This study reports on 11 cases of children and adolescents with comorbid FEDs and NDDs, examining the neuropsychological, psychopathological, and nutritional developmental pathways. It was found that the onset of FED-related psychopathology was often preceded by altered neurodevelopmental features leading to specific NDD diagnoses. The presence of NDDs influenced the diagnoses and treatments of FEDs, impacting socio-relational and emotional factors as well as access to FED-targeted treatments. Further longitudinal studies are needed to assess the experiences of care and neurodevelopmental pathways of children with comorbid FEDs and specific NDDs.