Nutrition Support in Children with Neurologic Disabilities

Children with complex chronic conditions commonly face health issues related to feeding and nutrition. In this paper, we focus on feeding problems and undernutrition in children with neurologic disabilities. Children with neurologic disabilities often have growth problems related to nutritional and non-nutritional causes. The feeding problems and resulting undernutrition have diverse impacts on the child’s and family’s health, social well-being, and quality of life. Appropriate management of the child’s health issues and support of the family in this process is critical. A systems based perspective on the role of nutrition support programs in the management of children with complex chronic conditions is discussed. We review nutritional assessment and management including the use of technology assistive devices such as gastrostomy tubes and the evidence base around their effectiveness. We also discuss the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease and dysmotility. Keywords: children with special health care needs, enteral tube feeding, gastrostomy, neurologic disability, nutrition support