Feeding and nutrition in children with medical complexity

Abstract

Providing adequate and appropriate nutrition to children with medical complexity (CMC) is often a challenging task. These patients are a diverse group whose varying nutritional needs must be carefully assessed and monitored. Optimal feeding and nutrition strategies in CMC require an individual approach and may include oral, enteral (gastric or jejunal), or parenteral provision of nutrients. Complications of enteral feeding, including those associated with medical devices such as feeding tubes, are common, and provider familiarity with some of the more common complaints is helpful. We provide here a summary of different feeding approaches, with exploration of the rationale for each, as well as discussion of common complications and some practical troubleshooting tips.