Nutrition and total parenteral nutrition

Abstract Good nutritional care of surgical infants and children is important because: (1) body stores are smaller and more precarious, and energy requirements proportionately greater than in adults; (2) they require energy for both maintenance and growth; and (3) as in adults, recovery from surgery is faster in those who are adequately nourished. Infants and children who require surgery on the gastrointestinal tract for congenital or acquired conditions are frequently unable to obtain adequate nutrition orally; this can be temporary due to post-operative ileus, or permanent due to structural anomalies, dysmotility, or lack of absorptive surface area. Nutritional support in the form of enteral nutrition via gastrostomy or jejunostomy, and partial or total parenteral nutrition are therefore often essential for post-operative recovery, growth, and long-term outcomes. This chapter outlines energy requirements, and parenteral and enteral nutrition of surgical infants and children.