Use Of Nutritional Therapy Research Articles

The use of nutritional therapy

Nutritional support for children with cancer is predicated on the belief that optimal nutrition promotes tolerance of anti-neoplastic therapy and preserves immunologic responsiveness. The use of nutritional support is based on the assumption that there is effective therapy for the primary disease and that there will be a predictable period of nutritional stress. The most common nutritional problem is posed by the failure of sick children willingly to eat enough to maintain nutritional homeostasis. Supplementation of oral intake with a nutritional formula given by a small-bore nasogastric tube is simple, effective, and economical. If the sum of oral and tolerated nasogastric tube feedings is less than that required for optimal nutrition, unmet needs may be satisfied by nutrients given into a peripheral vein. Total parenteral nutrition, given by central vein, is reserved for situations in which the combination of enteral and peripheral venous alimentation is inadequate.

Gastrointestinal Disease: Nutritional Implications

The management of patients with gastrointestinal disease must include attention to nutritional status. It has been documented that morbidity and mortality previously considered common in these patients can be reduced significantly. Perhaps the largest contribution that advances in nutritional support have made is the reduction in the frequency of surgical intervention. Remission of inflammatory bowel disease, closure of fistulas, intestinal adaptation, and prevention of malnutrition in complicated pancreatitis with the use of nutritional therapies help to avoid the complications of operative procedures.

Behavior Management

This essay explores the potential use of nutrition therapy in behavior management programs. It is suggested that children possessing behavioral disorders will not be capable of learning according to their potential and that nutrition therapy should be considered, along with other behavior management strategies, in rehabilitative programs.