Nutrition Support for Pediatric Surgical Patients

Pediatric patients have characteristics such as a low capacity for storing energy/nutrients and high energy metabolism as compared those of adults. Because of the inherent characteristics that they are continually growing, supplying both rapid and adequate nutrition is of the utmost importance. In the case of children undergoing surgery (and particularly gastrointestinal surgery), there is a high possibility of a restricted supply of nutrition, and so active intervention to supply sufficient nutrition must be carried out. Of course, enteral nutrition is preferred, but continuous monitoring of nutrition is of paramount importance; thus, parenteral nutrition should be provided when necessary. Nutritional support requires continuous monitoring when and if complications arise. The complications of parenteral nutrition have yet to be overcome, so further research on this topic is certainly warranted. (Surg Metab Nutr 2019;10:9-14)