Gastroesophageal reflux disease and delay in language acquisition delay: clinical case study.

BACKGROUND Co-occurrence of feeding and language disorders. AIM To investigate possible connections between feeding and language disorders, based on a bio-psychic perspective. METHOD A clinical-qualitative methodology, developed through a longitudinal study of a clinical case of a three year old boy with the complaint 'does not speak or eat' and with a medical diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease. RESULTS The analyzed case was considered emblematic of connections between feeding and language disorders. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that there is a relationship between oral language and feeding problems. It is suggested for speech-language therapists who work with language problems to investigate feeding habits, as well as for those who for with the stomatognathic system to investigate the oral language of their patients.