Diet related conditions in childhood benefit from the skilled help of a Paediatric Dietitian, especially when foods are affecting a child’s eating, sleeping, playing or growing. Do browse this section or get in touch with a question or to make an appointment. Does you child have adverse reactions to foods or a diet-related medical condition? Perhaps you have concerns that your child is not eating or growing well enough? Are you concerned that your child has lost weight recently? Whatever their age, a child’s diet makes a huge contribution to their wellbeing. This website, and the service I offer, help to provide you with an understanding about, and treatment for, some common diet related conditions in childhood. To use the Paediatric Nutrition website, navigate age-related issues using the top bar and condition-specific ones using tabs on the side bar. A quick overview then:
The Infant feeding matters section contains information about diet related conditions in infancy such as cow’s milk allergy, and also gives an overview of an infant’s nutritional needs.
Common feeding difficulties in childhood that affect toddlers and pre-school children include behavioural issues such as food refusal and functional problems like constipation. As needed, I work with other colleagues including paediatricians and speech and language therapists at Cambridge Paediatric Practice.
Food allergies and intolerance can affect all age groups, although food allergies do more commonly affect younger children. Most early food allergies are outgrown by puberty, but those that persist or are diagnosed later in childhood are often life-long, requiring an epipen and careful dietary management.
Gastrointestinal difficulties are often associated with stress or anxiety, illustrating the link between mind and body, and specifically the gut. Abdominal pain, reflux or diarrhoea that become persistent can be successfully treated by diet. Teenagers can be affected by emotional problems and may experience restricted or disordered eating at some point. I offer specific dietary assessment and link with other paediatric colleagues including family therapists or psychologists when there is concern about an eating disorder.
Questions are welcome by contacting me directly, or of course to provide any feedback about this website.
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