25(1) Part 2 – Failure to Thrive: the child with neurological impairment

Posted on February 28, 2010 by nutrfoc

Children with Neurological Impairment (NI) such as Cerebral Palsy (CP) may meet the definition for Failure to Thrive (FTT), but are they truly failing to thrive? Children with CP grow more slowly than their able bodied counterparts but may still be considered well nourished. When should they be considered FTT and referred for further evaluation?



Subscription required to view the full newsletter

Posted in Specific Conditions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 25(1) Part 2 – Failure to Thrive: the child with neurological impairment

24(6) Part 1 – Failure to Thrive

Posted on December 31, 2009 by nutrfoc

Today’s practitioner faces many challenges when presented with a child who fails to grow at expected rates or is diagnosed as failure-to thrive (FTT). Although it has a documented place in pediatric literature, there is no clear consensus regarding an objective definition for FTT. For each health care provider the term FTT can imply very different conditions depending on the circumstances. A team approach, including the family, can provide optimal care for a child who is failing to grow appropriately. While the definition to diagnose FTT may be elusive guidelines are available for identification and treatment. This edition of Nutrition Focus will provide a discussion of identification and intervention for children failing to grow following expected patterns.



Subscription required to view the full newsletter

Posted in Specific Conditions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 24(6) Part 1 – Failure to Thrive

24(3) Digestive Health: Probiotics and prebiotics for children

Posted on June 30, 2009 by nutrfoc

In this edition of Nutrition Focus you will read about probiotics and prebiotics and how they positively influence digestive health and well-being. You will learn what probiotics and prebiotics are, why they are necessary for gut health and immunity, which foods contain them, and how to evaluate them for use in children’s meals and snacks.



Subscription required to view the full newsletter

Posted in Nutrition-related Issues, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 24(3) Digestive Health: Probiotics and prebiotics for children

24(2) The Art of Home Visiting

Posted on April 30, 2009 by nutrfoc

Providing home-based services for the child with special health care needs presents unique challenges and opportunities for the pediatric registered dietitian (RD). From making the initial contact with parents and care providers, to scheduling follow-up visits,home visiting is an experience that is complex and rewarding but at times can be overwhelming and frustrating.

The purpose of this article is to discuss the various elements involved in home visiting. Helpful hints and guidelines are provided for working with families and other health care or educational service providers in a home-based situation. These hints and information will be useful for RDs currently involved in home visiting or considering a home visiting position, and for those in hospital settings who may work with community-based programs that provide services within the home.



Subscription required to view the full newsletter

Posted in General Topics Related to CSHCN, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 24(2) The Art of Home Visiting

23(6) Nutrition Management of Children with Rett Syndrome: An update

Posted on December 31, 2008 by nutrfoc

With the identification of the “Rett gene” in 1999, much has been learned in the last decade about the etiology and diagnosis of Rett Syndrome (RTT). RTT, first described in 1966 by Andreas Rett, is now considered a neurodevelopmental disorder, rather than a degenerative disorder. It is the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation which has a prevalence of 1:10,000 to 1:20,000 in females. RTT is an X linked dominant disorder, found predominantly in females, and occurs equally in all ethnic groups.



Subscription required to view the full newsletter

Posted in Specific Conditions, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 23(6) Nutrition Management of Children with Rett Syndrome: An update

23(5) The Why and How of Thickening Foods with a Review of VFSS

Posted on October 31, 2008 by nutrfoc

This issue of NUTRITION FOCUS includes two articles. The first updates an earlier issue about thickening foods for infants and children. A two-page handout is included for you to reproduce for families who may need to thicken liquids and/or foods for their children. The second article describes a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), a procedure that can visualize an infant or child’s swallowing function and assess for function of the swallow and/or aspiration. A VFSS is usually completed in a major medical center. Modifications to feeding an infant or child, including thickening of liquids and/or foods may be suggested as a result of the VFSS.



Subscription required to view the full newsletter

Posted in Nutrition-related Issues, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 23(5) The Why and How of Thickening Foods with a Review of VFSS

23(4) Nutrition Training from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau – A trainee’s experience

Posted on August 31, 2008 by nutrfoc

Each reader’s work with children with special health care needs has developed, most likely, from training we had beyond the basic for our discipline. This issue of Nutrition Focus reviews training opportunities for many disciplines through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau. The experiences are those of a nutritionist but the comments, case examples, and resources can be used by all to consider further training possibilities for you or your colleagues in our daily work with children with special health care needs and their families.



Subscription required to view the full newsletter

Posted in General Topics Related to CSHCN, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 23(4) Nutrition Training from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau – A trainee’s experience

23(2) How Sensory Issues Impact Feeding in Children Part 2 – Intervention strategies

Posted on April 30, 2008 by nutrfoc

This article is Part 2 of a discussion about sensory issues that interfere with eating in some children. Feeding a child who has sensory issues, whether neurological or experienced based, is one of the most challenging problems for families and the health care providers who work with them. Part 1 of this article (January/February 2008 NUTRITION FOCUS) described typical feeding progression, how sensory issues may interfere with this progression, types of sensory feeding issues and assessment. In Part 2 we continue the discussion with an emphasis on interventions and treatment options with a distinction between what works for the different types of sensory issues. Two case studies illustrate the complexity and challenge of sensory feeding issues and how progress can be made.



Subscription required to view the full newsletter

Posted in Nutrition-related Issues, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on 23(2) How Sensory Issues Impact Feeding in Children Part 2 – Intervention strategies

23(1) How Sensory Issues Impact Feeding in Children Part 1 – Introduction and Assessment

Posted on February 28, 2008 by nutrfoc

This article provides a discussion about sensory issues that interfere with eating in some children. Sensory issues that impact feeding are perhaps the most challenging problems for families and health care providers who work together to help children learn and feel comfortable about eating by mouth. Part 1 of this article describes typical feeding progression, how sensory issues may interfere with this progression, types of sensory feeding issues and assessment. Part 2 (March/April 2008) will continue the discussion with an emphasis on interventions and treatment options. Two case studies will illustrate the complexity and challenge of sensory feeding issues and how progress can be made.



Subscription required to view the full newsletter

Posted in Nutrition-related Issues, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on 23(1) How Sensory Issues Impact Feeding in Children Part 1 – Introduction and Assessment

22(6) The Genetics of Your Nutrition Practice

Posted on December 31, 2007 by nutrfoc

With the rapidly changing knowledge resulting from the Human Genome Project this article is updated from the original that appeared in Jan/Feb 2001. The Human Genome project provides new information on the relationship of genes to daily life. Specific nutrition conditions result from genetic material. This newsletter provides an overview of genetics and this relationship to nutrition issues for children.

The Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group (PNPG) of the American Dietetic Association asked to update the original article from the 2001 NUTRITION FOCUS. The slightly adapted update that appears here was published in Vol 30 No. 3, 2007 of PEDIATRIC NUTRITION — A BUILDING BLOCK FOR LIFE A Publication of the Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group. Additional material was included in the BUILDING BLOCK related to newborn screening. I would refer registered dietitians (RDs) to this publication if you are a member of the PNPG.



Subscription required to view the full newsletter

Posted in General Topics Related to CSHCN, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on 22(6) The Genetics of Your Nutrition Practice