Pediatric Impaired GI Function

Pediatric gastrointestinal (GI) impairment refers to a range of disorders that can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the esophagus and stomach to the small intestine, colon and rectum.¹ Gastrointestinal issues in children can arise from several conditions, including food allergies, genetic disorders and structural abnormalities of the digestive tract.

Within the first 6 months of life, 55% of infants suffer from digestive problems, such as regurgitation or colic.^2,3 GI issues are relatively common in children, with chronic abdominal pain affecting at least 15% of all children.⁴ Severe conditions are rare and are frequently due to a specific GI disease or to another health condition.^5-7

Children who suffer from GI impairment, especially those with prolonged or chronic conditions, may be at risk for nutritional deficiencies that can affect clinical outcomes and potentially lead to lifelong health implications.⁸ Although it can be concerning, in many cases, the symptoms associated with these disorders can be managed with appropriate nutritional therapy, which can play a key role in improving the overall condition and quality of life of the child.^9,10

About Pediatric Impaired GI Function

The digestive system is made up of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (the mouth, esophagus, stomach, large and small intestines, and anus) and the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. In digestion, food and drink are broken down into small parts (called nutrients) that the body can absorb and use as energy and building blocks for cells.

The principal functions of the GI tract are to digest and absorb ingested nutrients, and to excrete waste products of digestion.¹¹ The breakdown of complex macromolecules in foods to simple absorbable components is accomplished by the digestive system in four steps:

ingestion,
the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food,
nutrient absorption, and
elimination of indigestible food.

These absorbable components are processed by cells throughout the body and converted into energy or are used as building blocks.

GI disorders can affect different parts of the GI tract, mainly gastric or intestinal routes. Depending on the cause, severity and chronicity, an impaired GI function can alter food absorption and/or digestion, where the digestive tract is unable to effectively digest and absorb nutrients from food, affecting the overall nutritional status and health of the child.^5-7

Childhood is a time of rapid growth (anabolism), and this stage of life needs to be properly fueled by essential nutrients. Digestive disorders and other health challenges can make it difficult to meet nutrition needs. If any section of the GI tract is impaired due to inflammation, blockages or other issues, nutrient malabsorption or maldigestion may occur, which may lead to nutritional deficiencies.

Symptoms of GI impairment may include constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach, abdominal pain, bloating, gas and vomiting. Some disorders that may cause GI impairment include:

Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Acute or Chronic Diarrhea
Constipation
Cow or Soy Milk Allergy/Intolerance
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Celiac Disease (CD)
Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD)
Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS)

Children with impaired GI function are at risk for malnutrition and reduced quality of life.¹² It is for this reason that a specific focus is placed on the nutritional status of these children, as optimum nutrient intake has been shown to support normal growth and development as well as improve overall health and quality of life.¹²

At Nestlé Health Science, we are committed to providing nutritional therapies that are tailored to the individual needs of the child. In the case of infants and children with GI impairment, these needs are very specific to the condition, which is why we have a range of different solutions to fulfill a variety of nutritional requirements, including enteral (tube-feeding) nutrition formulas and oral nutritional supplements suitable from infancy through adolescence.

Nutrition & Pediatric Impaired GI Function

The type of nutritional support required for pediatric impaired GI function is as varied as the underlying causes and presentations of symptoms. Among the more common conditions associated with impaired GI function include:^13,14

Poor motility, often leading to constipation or reflux. Nutrition strategies may be used to allow for better ease of movement down the GI tract and prevent slowdowns or stoppages.
Altered gut sensitivity, as seen in cases of irritable bowel syndrome or anxiety. The key is to find nutritional solutions that can be tolerated along with other treatments the patient may require.
Imbalance of gut microbiota, especially if the patient is on antibiotics. Probiotic-containing formulas help restore colonies of helpful gut microbes.
Allergies and intolerances, leading to poor nutrient absorption. Patients may need allergen-free or elemental formulas to deliver necessary nutrients.
Structural abnormalities, such as short gut syndrome. Enteral feeding and nutrition solutions are often required in these cases, especially if portions of the gut have been removed or are blocking areas in which nutrient absorption would ordinarily occur.

Finding the right nutritional strategies to help children with impaired GI function can go a long way toward improving patient outcomes and enabling children to continue growing and thriving.¹⁴ Nestlé Health Science has a number of pediatric nutrition formulas for both enteral and oral use that have been clinically tested to provide positive clinical outcomes to children that need them.

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Enteral formulas, also known as tube feeding formulas, can help children with impaired GI function when the impairment is toward the top of the GI tract, such as GERD or esophagitis, or when the patient has obstructive bowel, short bowel syndrome or Chron’s disease.⁷ Formulas can be Peptide-based, where the protein is hydrolyzed or broken down into smaller components or peptides for easier digestion and absorption in situations of impaired GI functions, such as gastroparesis, malabsorptive conditions or short bowel syndrome. Formulas with real food ingredients may be suitable for children who have difficulty digesting or tolerating a standard formula, or who require tube feeding for a prolonged period of time. Blenderized tube feeding formulas may help improve GI tolerance in pediatric patients with chronic conditions such as malnutrition, digestive diseases, cerebral palsy, and seizure disorders.

Tube feeding formulas can provide complete nutrition for exclusive enteral nutrition or partial nutrition to close nutrient gaps. Enteral nutrition products are intended to be used under medical supervision.

Hypoallergenic Infant and Junior formulas (can be fed orally or via tube feeding), like extensively hydrolyzed or amino acid-based formulas provide complete nutrition for infants with cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) or other food allergies and intolerances and sensitivities.These products are intended to be used under medical supervision.

When a child with impaired GI function isn't getting the right nutrient mix due to impaired absorption, allergies or other non-structural limitations, oral nutritional supplements (ONS) may help.These products are intended to be used under medical supervision.

References

Kliegman RM. Digestive system disorders. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 123.
Van de Heijning BJM, et al. GI symptoms in infants are a potential target for fermented infant milk formulae: a review. Nutrients 2014; 6: 3942-67.
Iacono G, et al. Gastrointestinal symptoms in infancy: a population-based prospective study. Dig Liver Dis 2005; 37: 432-8.
Goday PS. Gastrointestinal disorders: Red flags and best treatments. Contemporary Pediatrics. July 2021: 16-19. https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/view/gastrointestinal-disorders-red-flags-and-best-treatments.
Romano C, et al. European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Guidelines for the evaluation and treatment of gastrointestinal and nutritional complications in children with neurological impairment. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2017;65(2):242-64.
Huysentruyt K, et al. Nutritional red flags in children with cerebral palsy. Clin Nutr 2019 Mar 8. pii: S0261-5614(19)30094-9.
Miele E, et al. Nutrition in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Position Paper on Behalf of the Porto Inflammatory Bowel Disease Group of the European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2018;66(4):687-708.
Nestle Health Science press release: Nutritional management of children with gastrointestinal Impairment – key to clinical outcome; Presentation at ESPHGAN meeting, May 29, 2013. https://www.nestlehealthscience.com/newsroom/press-releases/Espghan-2013
Kay M., Tolia V. Common gastrointestinal problems in pediatric patients. American College of Gastroenterology. http://s3.gi.org/patients/gihealth/pdf/pediatric.pdf. Accessed 9/9/2023.
Gastrointestinal Challenges in the Neurologically Impaired Child (nestlenutrition-institute.org). Accessed 9/9/2023.
Hornbuckle WE, Simpson KW, Tennant BC. Gastrointestinal Function. Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals. 2008:413–57. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-370491-7.00014-3. Epub 2008 Oct 22. PMCID: PMC7173558.
Varni JW, Bendo CB, Nurko S, Shulman RJ, Self MM, Franciosi JP, Saps M, Pohl JF; Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Gastrointestinal Symptoms Module Testing Study Consortium. Health-related quality of life in pediatric patients with functional and organic gastrointestinal diseases. J Pediatr. 2015 Jan;166(1):85-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2014.08.022. Epub 2014 Sep 17. PMID: 25241177.
Gastrointestinal Diseases. Cleveland Clinic Health Library. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7040-gastrointestinal-diseases. Accessed 9/9/2023.
Fikree A, Byrne P. Management of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Clin Med (Lond). 2021 Jan;21(1):44-52. doi: 10.7861/clinmed.2020-0980. PMID: 33479067; PMCID: PMC7850201.