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Nutrition Interventions for Children with Special Health Care Needs

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Section 3 - Condition-Specific <strong>Nutrition</strong> <strong>Interventions</strong><br />

tactile hypersensitivity, and aversive behavior associated <strong>with</strong> unpleasant oral and<br />

feeding experiences. Assessment of feeding problems <strong>with</strong> feeding observations,<br />

swallowing studies, and measurements of oxygen saturation during feeding may<br />

be helpful. Infants <strong>with</strong> BPD may also experience gastroesophageal reflux and/or<br />

delayed gastric emptying. The feeding situation may show significant improvement<br />

if these conditions are diagnosed and treated <strong>with</strong> changes in feeding patterns,<br />

positioning, or medications (9,14,15,16) (See Chapter 8).<br />

The growth and development of infants <strong>with</strong> BPD is also influenced by family<br />

characteristics. Taking care of these infants can present many challenges. Feeding<br />

issues may contribute to the stress of caring <strong>for</strong> an infant <strong>with</strong> BPD. Feeding infants<br />

<strong>with</strong> moderate and severe BPD may require several hours each day (9,11,14).<br />

Nighttime feedings may last <strong>for</strong> several months. <strong>Health</strong> care professionals and<br />

the families themselves may put excessive emphasis on weight gain increments<br />

and establish problematic feeding behavior patterns. Infants <strong>with</strong> BPD are often<br />

rehospitalized. They are at high risk of serious illness during the respiratory syncytial<br />

virus (RSV) season from November through March, and families are usually told<br />

to keep their babies at home. Many caregivers report a sense of social isolation.<br />

Assuring that family needs <strong>for</strong> social, emotional and financial support are met is an<br />

essential component of good care <strong>for</strong> these infants and young children.<br />

The remainder of this chapter presents guidelines <strong>for</strong> nutritional assessment,<br />

intervention, and evaluation/outcome <strong>for</strong> children <strong>with</strong> broncopulmonary dysplasia.<br />

<strong>Nutrition</strong> <strong>Interventions</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Children</strong> With <strong>Special</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Care</strong> <strong>Needs</strong> 181

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