Nutr Clin Pract. 2020 Apr;35(2):265-272.doi: 10.1002/ncp.10319. Epub 2019 Jul 18.

Amornluck Krasaelap ¹, Katja Kovacic ¹, Praveen S Goday ¹

Author information

• ¹Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders are associated with suboptimal nutrition in children, mainly because of malabsorption and symptoms limiting dietary intake. Apart from medical therapy, nutrition support has a crucial role in maintaining growth and improving clinical outcomes in children. Based on recent data and guidelines, this review provides an overview of nutrition assessment and specific interventions for common pediatric GI disorders including gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophageal motility disorders, gastroparesis, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, and constipation. Several approaches including diet modification, enteral nutrition (gastric vs post-pyloric, temporary vs permanent access, bolus vs continuous), and parenteral nutrition need to be tailored based on patient's nutrition and clinical assessment.