CHILDREN LIVING WITH A RESPIRATORY CONDITION
They are often not curable, although there are usually medications and treatments that can help manage the symptoms and improve the lives of people living with these conditions.1
Often, children with a respiratory condition are likely to be malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. Malnutrition can impact the progression of respiratory disease and illness, leading to increased flare-ups and impacting disease severity.2
This page provides more information about the importance of nutrition for children living with a respiratory condition and what nutrition support might be available for your child if they have or are at risk of malnutrition.
A respiratory condition is any long-term illness or disease that affects the airways and the lungs.1 Common respiratory conditions in children include:2,3
Cystic Fibrosis
Asthma
Bronchiectasis
Childhood interstitial lung disease
Over or undernutrition in respiratory disease can happen for various reasons,
depending on the condition that the child has, but can be a result of:2,3
Inflammation
Associated digestive problems, such as sickness, stomach pain or diarrhoea
Impaired digestion or absorption of nutrients
Decreased appetite
Reduced physical activity levels due to the condition
Their body using up more energy than normal
Children with respiratory conditions often have or are at risk of disease-related malnutrition. Disease-related malnutrition is when the body can’t get the right amount of energy and/or nutrients it needs; sometimes, it might get too much (overnutrition), or sometimes, it might get too little (undernutrition).4
Malnutrition in children with respiratory conditions can impact the progression of their disease and can also
impact their overall health and development:2,3,5
Reduced immunity and increased risk of infection
Increased disease flare-ups/disease severity
Increased hospital visits
Weakening of the respiratory muscles
Poor weight gain and growth
Impaired cognitive function
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 such as inflammation3, then these supplements may be recommended as a tube feed.
If your child has a respiratory condition, it is important to look out for symptoms of malnutrition, which may include:4
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 your child is showing any signs of malnutrition, speak to their healthcare professional (e.g. GP or nurse) as soon as possible.
References:
1. WHO, 2024. Chronic respiratory diseases. Available online: https://www.who.int/health-topics/chronic-respiratory-diseases#tab=tab_1 Last accessed February 2024.
2. Knebusch N et al. Nutrients 2023;14:4142.
3. lsharkawy A et al. Egyptian Pediatric Association Gazette 2021;69:42.
4. NHS 2023. Malnutrition. Available online: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/malnutrition Last accessed February 2024.
5. Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Cystic Fibrosis FAQs. https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/what-is-cystic-fibrosis/faqs Accessed July 2022
This website has been developed taking into account feedback from patients, facilitated by the Patients Association.
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ENSURE PLUS
1 x 220 ml
Flavor: Apple
1,5 kcal / ml
Nutrition Information
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