Medical Position Paper Nutrition Support for Neurologically Impaired Children: A Clinical Report of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

Undernutrition, growth failure, overweight, micronutrient deficiencies, and osteopenia are nutritional comorbidities that affect the neurologically impaired child. Monitoring neurologically impaired children for nutritional comorbidities is an integral part of their care. Early involvement by a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, dieticians, occupational and speech therapists, psychologists, and social workers is essential to prevent the adverse outcomes associated with feeding difficulties and poor nutritional status. Careful evaluation and monitoring of severely disabled children for nutritional problems are warranted because of the increased risk of nutrition-related morbidity and mortality. JPGN 43: 123 Y135, 2006. Key Words: Feeding intoleranceVDevelopmental delayVOral motor therapyVEnteral feeding tube. 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins