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Rumination gets its name from the same root word as "rumen," the first stomach of animals that "ruminate," that is, regurgitate and re-chew at leisure food that was earlier swallowed into the first stomach. That is precisely what some children do. Ruminating children engage in the behavior voluntarily, not accidentally, and do not show signs of nausea or displeasure. Sometimes the food is spit out, but more often it is chewed and re-swallowed. The disorder usually appears when the infant is between 3 and 12 months old, but may occur later in conjunction with Mental Retardation. In many cases the disorder disappears with age, but in severe cases it may not. Behavioral approaches have been employed with success in some very severe cases. Infants with severe cases may fail to thrive and could die of malnutrition if not treated. Older children and adults are often ashamed and keep the habit a secret. One web site includes a little information on rumination disorder in the context of other eating disorders and distinguishes between two types. Last updated 12/19/03 |
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