Nutrition
Proper nutrition is important for any child to grow, and patients with intestinal failure need extra help to get enough nutrients and calories to promote growth and development. Our advanced practice nurses and clinical nutritionists work in conjunction with a pediatric gastroenterologist to evaluate caloric and fat requirements, monitor growth and development, and develop nutritional strategies for your child. They often make changes in your child's oral and tube feedings as well as intravenous nutrition to help your child better absorb nutrients and maintain healthy growth. Some of these changes may include:
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Decreasing or discontinuing intralipids (intravenous
fats).
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Using special formulas that can be digested a little easier. Examples of these formulas are Neocate, Elecare, Pregestamil and Alimentum.
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Trying different concentrations of those special formulas, which may help your child tolerate her feedings a little better and provide more calories.
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Placing a
nasogastric tube if a
gastrostomy tube has not already been placed. This is done to provide slow, continuous feedings that can be better tolerated by the digestive tract and provide continuous stimulation of the intestine.
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Using additives to help absorb more nutrients from the feedings. Examples of these include Pectin, Microlipids and Benefiber.
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Adding supplements, including magnesium, bicarbonate (Bicitra) and sodium chloride, to help your child receive all the nutrients she needs.