Rumination Disorder is a form of Eating or Feeding Disorders.
Children with Rumination Disorder have frequent bouts of
regurgitating and re-chewing their food not associated with another
medical disorder. Rumination Disorder is not associated with nausea,
retching, or disgust, but seems to be associated with pleasure.
The onset of Rumination Disorder
typically occurs during the first 3-12 months of age, and is
manifested by the child straining and bending into an arching
position with head held back. The child then regurgitates and
re-chews already swallowed food while appearing to derive
satisfaction from the procedure.
Over time, the child typically losses weight or fail to gain
weight and can easily become malnourished. Damage to the esophagus
from stomach fluids is also common.
See also: Feeding Disorders of Infancy or Early Childhood and
Pica.
