Nutritional Aspects of Pediatric Gastrointestinal Diseases

Abstract

In the last decade, the role of nutritional management in pediatric gastrointestinal diseases has gained increasing popularity. Disease-specific diets have been introduced as conventional treatments by international guidelines. Patients tend to more willingly accept food-based therapies than drugs because of their relatively “harmless” nature. Apart from a diet’s therapeutic role, nutritional support is crucial in maintaining growth and improving clinical outcomes in pediatric patients. Despite the absence of classical “side effects”, however, it should be emphasized that any dietary modification might have negative consequences on children’s growth and development. Hence, expert supervision is always advised, in order to support adequate nutritional requirements. Unfortunately, the media provide an inaccurate perception of the role of diet for gastrointestinal diseases, leading to misconceptions by patients or their caregivers that tends to overestimate the beneficial role of diets and underestimate the potential adverse effects. Moreover, not only patients, but also healthcare professionals, have a number of misconceptions about the nutritional benefits of diet modification on gastrointestinal diseases. The aim of this review is to highlight the role of diet in pediatric gastrointestinal diseases, to detect misconceptions and to give a practical guide for physicians on the basis of current scientific evidence.

Modern patterns of eating behavior in children

“…Актуальність вивчення ХП також обумовлена поширеністю функціональних розладів травлення у дітей раннього віку, пов'язаних не тільки з анатомо-фізіологічними особливостями органів шлунково-кишкового тракту, а й з наявністю різних моделей харчової поведінки дитини. У даному контексті, вже починаючи з періоду новонародженості, важно з'ясовувати значущість ХП для формування смакових звичок дітей і подальшого розвитку культури харчування, функціонального дозрівання системи травлення та становлення метаболічних процесів [11][12][13].…”

Cognitive Outcomes in Children With Conditions Affecting the Small Intestine : A Systematic Review

“…Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders may be associated with suboptimal nutritional status in children, particularly due to malabsorption and symptoms caused by restricted food intake. 1,2 When an infant has a disease that affects the small intestine, the gut is unable to absorb the nutrients and fluids necessary for growth to the extent that it should. Because of this, these infants are dependent on parenteral nourishment, also known as parenteral nutrition (PN).…”

Nutritional Pearls and Pitfalls of Gastrointestinal Diseases

“…Nutritional approaches may start from the pediatric age, as discussed by Bivi et al [ 1 ] and Di Chio et al [ 2 ] in their papers. Bivi et al [ 1 ] carried out a national cross-sectional survey involving parents of children following a vegan diet in order to explore the difficulties perceived by parents in their relationship with primary care pediatricians (PCPs) regarding a vegan diet.…”

“…Di Chio et al [ 2 ] focused on aspects regarding pediatric nutritional management in gastrointestinal diseases, giving an overview on advances, “false beliefs”, and the recent evidence in the nutritional approach to pediatric gastrointestinal diseases. The authors emphasized, for all therapies, that dietary changes can be harmful in the pediatric setting.…”

“…The authors emphasized, for all therapies, that dietary changes can be harmful in the pediatric setting. Regarding the role of food, authors highlight that it may be the trigger of specific diseases (e.g., IgE or non-IgE gastrointestinal food allergies, celiac disease, food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome, or eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases) and suggest that if a “trigger food” is clearly identified, the specific food elimination diet can be the best therapeutic choice for inducing remission [ 2 ].…”