Nutritional support of the sick infant
Greene, H.L.
Pediatric Annals 10(11): 63-79
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0090-4481 PMID: 7339550 Document Number: 171490
Techniques for malnutrition therapy of infants are discussed, with particular emphasis on malnutrition prevention. A variety of illnesses that may be associated with malnutrition (or related to: decreased dietary intake with little change in digestive capacity; malabsorption reflected by abnormal digestive capacity; inborn errors relative to abnormal nutrient metabolism) and specific dietary management approaches using defined formulas are covered. Following a description of normal intestinal function and digestion, attention is directed towards alterations in the anatomy and physiology of the bowel as related to protracted diarrhea and malnutrition, short-bowel syndrome, very low-birth-weight infants, and other types of malabsorption. Simple monitoring tests to detect malabsorption include: qualitative fecal sugar, and fat malabsorption detection by direct microscopic examination of stool specimens. Infants continuing to malabsorb a given formula diet may improve through use of continuous infusion of the diet. (wz)