Nutritional Disorders
Gastroenterologists at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital are known internationally for their expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood nutritional disorders. The hospital is home to one of only a few childhood nutrition centers funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
Nutritional disorders encompass a broad category of conditions and diseases that develop because of malnutrition or a loss of nutrients due to a medical condition. Nutritional deficiencies also are common in patients with various liver diseases.
Among the most common is short bowel syndrome, a condition in which the small intestine is shorter than normal, either because of an injury or surgery. Rarely, children can be born with a short bowel. The shorter intestine means the body will have a reduced ability to absorb nutrients.
Children also may be diagnosed with intestinal failure. Another cause of nutritional disorders is malabsorption problems, in which certain nutrients or fluids are not absorbed by the small intestine. These can include proteins, fats, or carbohydrates as well as vitamins and/or minerals.
Additional Conditions Impacting Childhood Nutrition
- Celiac disease
- Failure to Thrive
- Feeding or swallowing disorders
- Food allergies
- Hypocalcemia (low calcium)
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Liver/gut injuries
- Protein-losing enteropathy
- Obesity
Diagnosis & Treatment of Nutritional Disorders
The Childhood Nutritional Disorders Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital has a multidisciplinary team dedicated to diagnosing and treating nutritional disorders. The team includes nutrition specialists, gastroenterologists, surgeons and therapists. In addition to medications and dietary modifications, the team is nationally recognized for:
- Bowel lengthening procedures
- Bariatric surgery for teens and young adults
- Our Healthy First weight management program
- Nutritional management
- Intestinal rehabilitation
- Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) therapy