CHILDREN LIVING WITH DISEASE-RELATED MALNUTRITION
There are many reasons why a child might become malnourished, however, malnutrition in children is most often caused by the effects of an underlying illness or health condition, also known as disease-related malnutrition.1
This page provides more information on disease-related malnutrition, what causes it and what nutritional support your child might be offered by their healthcare professional (e.g. GP or nurse) if they have or are at risk of malnutrition.
WHAT IS MALNUTRITION?Malnutrition is when the body doesn’t get the right about of nutrients it needs. It can mean:1,2
Undernutrition
Where the body doesn’t get enough
nutrients, which can cause problems
with weight and growth
Overnutrition
Where the body gets too many
nutrients, which can lead a child
to become overweight or obese
There are many reasons why a child might be at risk of malnutrition, but it is often caused by a long-term health condition that:1
Reduces their appetite
Causes digestive problems, such as sickness or diarrhoea, which means their body can’t absorb the nutrients they need
Means that their body
needs more energy
Sometimes, medicine that your child might be taking for their illness might also have side effects, such as making your child feel sick, lose their appetite, or have diarrhoea, which can mean their body doesn’t absorb as many nutrients.1
Getting the proper nutrients, such as protein, vitamins and calcium, is essential for children as it can support:3-8
A healthy immune system
Cognitive function (which can include brain functions such as memory, language and attention span)
Overall health
Bone and teeth development
Growth and development
Their energy levels and ability to play and engage in other activities
If children can’t get all the nutrients they need, it can impact their growth, weight, cognitive function, and immune system, making them more at risk of getting ill.9 It can also affect their behaviour, sleeping patterns, and learning ability.10-12
Symptoms of over or undernutrition in children can include:1
Not growing or putting on weight at the expected rate (sometimes known as faltering growth)
Changes in their behaviour, such as being irritable, moving slowly or becoming anxious
Having low energy or feeling tired more easily than normal
If you are worried that your child isn’t growing as they should, or they have signs that they are over or undernourished, speak to their healthcare professional. They can conduct a thorough assessment and provide guidance on changes to your child’s diet, or they may recommend nutritional supplements to help your child catch up on their growth.
If your child has a long-term health condition, they may already be under the care of a specialist healthcare professional, such as a dietitian, who will keep an eye on their weight, growth and eating habits to assess their malnutrition risk.
Your child’s healthcare professional may recommend nutritional support in the form of oral nutritional supplements (sometimes called sip feeds) if they believe your child has, or is at risk of developing, malnutrition in order to help provide the calories, protein and other important vitamins and minerals that their body needs.
If your child has particular difficulty eating through the mouth due to symptoms related to their condition, then these supplements may be recommended as a tube feed.
References:
1. NHS 2023. Malnutrition. Available online: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/malnutrition Last accessed February 2024.
2. WHO, 2021: Malnutrition. Available online: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malnutrition. Last accessed February 2024.
3. Verduci E & Köglmeier J. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2021;73(3):293-298.
4. British Nutrition Foundation 2015. Children. Available online: https://www.nutrition.org.uk/life-stages/children/ Last accessed February 2024.
5. Nyaradi A et al. Front Hum Neurosci 2013;26:7:97.
6. Harvey P. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience 2019;21(3):227.
7. World Health Organization 2009. Infant and young child feeding. Available online: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK148965/pdf/Bookshelf_NBK148965.pdf Last accessed February 2024.
8. RCN, 2010: Nutrition in children and young people with cancer. Available online at https://media.gosh.nhs.uk/documents/nutrition_in_children_andg_people_with_cancer.pdf. Last accesses July 2023.
9. Yue T et al. Nutrients 2022;14:2685.
10. Martins V et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2011;8(6):1817–1846.
11. Stanga Z et al. Clin Nutr 2007;26(3):379-382.
12. Carter LE et al. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2019;80(4):195-199.
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