Pediatric Nutrition Services
Nutrition is a critical element of a child’s health and well-being. The Clinical Nutrition team at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital works with medical teams throughout the hospital to ensure our young patients get the nutrition they need during their stay. In addition, our team of registered dietitians offers innovative outpatient programs to support children - and their families - with unique dietary needs.
Conditions Helped by Nutrition Therapy
Medical nutrition therapy can help support the specialized needs of children with a variety of conditions, including:
- Cancer
- Celiac disease
- Cerebral palsy
- Chronic kidney disease and ESRD
- Crohn’s disease/IBD
- Cystic fibrosis
- Diabetes
- Eating disorders
- Feeding and swallowing disorders
- Food allergies and intolerances
- Genetic disorders, such as Prader Willi syndrome and Turner syndrome
- Inborn errors of metabolism
- Lipid disorders
- Liver and gastrointestinal diseases
- Overweight and Obesity
- Picky eating
- Poor weight gain
Areas of Specialty
Our team of registered dietitians offer expertise in the following areas:
- Age appropriate nutrition
- Bariatrics
- Blenderized tube feeding management
- Complex care
- Critical care
- Dialysis
- Infant/toddler nutrition
- Intestinal rehabilitation
- Feeding team services
- Gastroenterology
- Ketogenic diet
- Neonatology
- Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
- Transplant
- Tube feeding management
- Weight management
What to Expect from an Appointment
If your child has been referred for outpatient medical nutrition therapy (MNT) or nutrition counseling services, you will meet one-on-one with one of our registered dietitians to create a personalized dietary plan.
During your first appointment, which typically lasts about an hour, we will review your child’s medical history, weight history, feeding/eating history, as well as any other factors that may impact your child’s ability to get adequate nutrition. Then, we will make personalized recommendations about how to meet your child’s health needs, while taking into consideration food preferences and lifestyle. You can expect to leave the initial appointment with a plan, including specific goals, for meeting your child’s dietary needs. We typically recommend at least one follow-up appointment, although some conditions may require ongoing care.
Our outpatient services require a referral from your child’s medical provider. If you have concerns about your child’s nutrition, talk to your doctor about whether your child would benefit from an appointment with our team. For more information about our services, please call 314-577-5387. To make an appointment, please call 314-268-4010.