Gastrointestinal Challenges in the Neurologically Impaired Child

In this symposium entitled ‘Nutritional Management of Children with Gastrointestinal Impairment’, appropriate nutritional solutions and feeding strategies specific patient populations including neurologically impaired children, paediatric ICU and short bowel syndrome were discussed. Dr Peter Sullivan, Reader in Paediatrics at Oxford University, UK, highlighted the complexity of addressing the nutritional needs of neurologically impaired children who often suffer from gastrointestinal issues such as foregut dysmotility and chronic constipation. In addition, children with cerebral palsy may have a range of oral-motor dysfunctions leading to feeding insufficiency.