Nutritional Considerations in Pediatric Liver Disease
摘要
Chronic liver disease can result in poor intake, can cause altered nutrient metabolism, and can cause malabsorption. Continued nutritional assessment is essential to monitor nutrition status, prevent growth failure, and assess for sarcopenia. Patients with chronic liver disease have specific energy and protein needs which can be higher than the normal population due to malabsorption. Laboratory monitoring is essential to prevent fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies and essential fatty acid deficiency. If a patient requires a liver transplant, adjustments will be required in their nutritional interventions as the patient will have different energy and protein requirements as compared to their estimated needs in chronic liver disease. Fat-soluble vitamin levels should continue to be monitored after transplant until levels normalize.