Feeding problems and parents' quality of life in children with dowsyndrome

The aim of this study was to determine the feeding problems in children diagnosed with Down syndrome and to examine the relationship between feedıng problems and parents' quality of life. This study was conducted between February 2023 and December 2025 at Büyük Asrın Special Education and Rehabilitation Center and Ankara Bilkent City Hospital Child Genetics Clinic and Polyclinic. The sample of the study consisted of 105 parents with children diagnosed with Down Syndrome between the ages of 10-18. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the Sociodemographic Information Form, Feeding Problems Screening Tool scale and SF-36 Quality of Life scale. Data were evaluated with descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. 76.2% of the parents were mothers. According to the Feeding Problems Screening Tool scale scores (frequency×severity), aspiration risk was 0.19±0.74, behavioral problems associated with food refusal was 0.46±1.31, food selectivity was 0.58±1.47, behavioral problems associated with feeding was 1.04±2.38 and feeding skills was 1.64±3.79. The mean total score of the SF-36 Quality of Life scale of the parents was 56.77±20.48. A significant negative correlation was found between the mean scores of the Feeding Problems Screening Tool and SF-36 Quality of Life Scale in children with Down syndrome (p≤0.05). The mean frequency and "frequency × severity" scores of all sub-dimensions of the Feeding Problems Screening Tool Scale were found to be below the average score that could be obtained. It was found that the quality of life of parents decreased as the feeding problems of children with Down syndrome increased. It is recommended that training and intervention studies should be provided to parents to prevent feeding problems and improve the quality of life of children with Down syndrome. KEYWORDS: Down Syndrome, Parent, Nursing, Feeding Problems, Quality Of Life