The Feeding, Swallowing and Nutrition Disorders Program evaluates and treats children with conditions that include dysphagia, feeding aversion (which may include oral defensiveness, tactile sensitivity, problem eating and picky eating), failure to thrive (poor growth and weight loss) and related disorders. The program serves the growing number of children who suffer from a feeding issue.
Feeding problems are estimated to occur in up to 25% of normally developing children. Feeding problems include the inability or refusal to eat certain foods and may lead to nutrition problems and other developmental and psychological issues. Early diagnosis and management are important.
Our team can diagnose and treat various related problems such as:
Why Choose Lurie Children's?
The program is designed to bring together multiple health care specialists including a gastroenterologist, nurse clinician, speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, behavioral psychologist and registered dietitian to help assist your child with feeding issues. Our expert teams will develop a comprehensive treatment plan to best care for your child.
Research is an important part of the program and our research interests include parental stress in pediatric feeding disorders, family quality of life in pediatric feeding disorders, natural history of silent/chronic aspiration in neurologically intact children and a survey to determine whether the State of Illinois is meeting the needs of infants and children with feeding disorders. With our research, we hope to promote patient care and improve education for families.
Our Specialists
Mark Fishbein, MD and Maria Greene, MD, are board-certified in pediatric gastroentrology and evaluate patients within this program. Dr. Fishbein is the medical director of the program. He and Dr. Greene work closely with the other healthcare providers to assist your child with various feeding problems. Dr. Fishbein is Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Lurie Children’s and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Greene is Attending Physician, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Lurie Children’s and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Feinberg School.
Make an Appointment
Call to make an appointment with our specialists.
Our Locations
Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Pediatric Outpatient Center
25 N. Winfield RoadEast Entrance
Winfield, Illinois 60190
630.933.6631
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Lincoln Park
2515 N. Clark Street/467 W. Deming PlaceChicago, Illinois 60614-3393
1.800.543.7362
Tests & Treatments
Related News
What is a Pediatric Gastroenterologist?
Learn more about pediatric gastroenterologist specialists to better understand what conditions they diagnose and treat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Nutrition For Kids
Got a hungry athlete in your house? Learn how to feed your kids to support their growth and performance during the sports seasons.
Philanthropy
Your support is vital in helping us continue to make a difference in the lives of patients and families. Lurie Children's relies on philanthropic funding to enhance its programs, services and research for children. To learn more, please e-mail the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation at foundation@luriechildrens.org or call 312.227.7500.