The Role of Nutrition in Pediatric Gastrointestinal Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

Nutrition has both a supportive and therapeutic role in the management of many gastrointestinal diseases. Optimized nutrition is essential for the growth and development of all children. This is especially relevant to children with gastrointestinal (GI) conditions that can variably affect nutrient intake, absorption, or metabolism.

There is no other time in life where the provision of adequate and balanced nutrition is as crucial than during infancy and childhood. During this dynamic phase characterized by rapid growth, development, and developmental plasticity, a sufficient amount and appropriate composition of nutrients both in health and disease are of key importance for growth, functional outcomes such as cognition and immune response, and the metabolic programming of long-term health and well-being.

The main role of the gut is to digest and absorb nutrients in order to maintain life and well-being. Chronic conditions affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract commonly impact nutrition adversely. This is especially relevant in children and adolescents with chronic GI conditions, where growth and development are key outcomes. The nutritional impacts of chronic GI conditions in childhood include weight loss or reduced weight gain, impaired linear growth, and delayed pubertal development.

In addition, the malabsorption or reduced intake of micronutrients may lead to specific deficiencies, with further potential adverse effects. Conditions that can have an impact on nutrition include inflammatory bowel disease, eosinophilic disorders, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis or other pancreatic disorders, chronic liver disease, intestinal failure, neurological disorders, functional GI disorders, cancer, and obesity. This Special Issue aims to focus on the nutritional aspects of various pediatric GI conditions.

Dr. Ron Shaoul
Prof. Dr. Andrew Day
Guest Editors

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