Pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders: State of health, population trends, and application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health

Over the past two decades, the definition of the state of health has been expanded from a disease-based condition to one that includes the impact of the disease on an individual's ability to function. The World Health Organization identified the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) as a potential framework for coding functional status and establishing a common, standardized language to describe and study health and health-related domains. The ICF could have significant benefits for speech-language pathologists working with children with feeding and swallowing problems. In this article, the authors describe the changes in the definition of health and justification for the ICF, review population trends relevant to pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders, and summarize potential applications of the ICF.