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The Role of Nutrition in Pediatric Gastrointestinal Diseases
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The Role of Nutrition in Pediatric Gastrointestinal Diseases

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2025) | Viewed by 16281

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ron Shaoul

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. The Pediatric Gastroenterology Institute, Ruth Rappaport Children's Hospital, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
2. The Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
Interests: pediatric inflammatory disease; nutrition; pediatric endoscopy; inflammatory bowel disease; gastroenterology; pediatrics
Prof. Dr. Andrew Day

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Paediatrics, Christchurch Hospital, University of Otago, Christchurch 4710, New Zealand
Interests: inflammatory bowel disease; coeliac disease; improving Crohn’s outcomes; intestinal inflammatory biomarkers; nutritional aspects of gut diseases; host–pathogen interactions in the gut (and how these relate to chronic gut diseases)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nutrition has both a supportive and therapeutic role in the management of many gastrointestinal diseases. Optimized nutrition is essential for the growth and development of all children. This is especially relevant to children with gastrointestinal (GI) conditions that can variably affect nutrient intake, absorption, or metabolism.

There is no other time in life where the provision of adequate and balanced nutrition is as crucial than during infancy and childhood. During this dynamic phase characterized by rapid growth, development, and developmental plasticity, a sufficient amount and appropriate composition of nutrients both in health and disease are of key importance for growth, functional outcomes such as cognition and immune response, and the metabolic programming of long-term health and well-being.

The main role of the gut is to digest and absorb nutrients in order to maintain life and well-being. Chronic conditions affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract commonly impact nutrition adversely. This is especially relevant in children and adolescents with chronic GI conditions, where growth and development are key outcomes. The nutritional impacts of chronic GI conditions in childhood include weight loss or reduced weight gain, impaired linear growth, and delayed pubertal development.

In addition, the malabsorption or reduced intake of micronutrients may lead to specific deficiencies, with further potential adverse effects. Conditions that can have an impact on nutrition include inflammatory bowel disease, eosinophilic disorders, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis or other pancreatic disorders, chronic liver disease, intestinal failure, neurological disorders, functional GI disorders, cancer, and obesity. This Special Issue aims to focus on the nutritional aspects of various pediatric GI conditions.

Dr. Ron Shaoul
Prof. Dr. Andrew Day
Guest Editors

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pediatric gastrointestinal diseases
  • inflammatory bowel diseases
  • functional gastrointestinal diseases
  • non-IgE-mediated gastrointestinal food allergy
  • eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases
  • diet
  • nutrition
  • food
  • therapy

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 469 KB  
Article
A Multi-Institutional, Retrospective, Observational Study on Administration Status and Safety of In-Hospital Oral Selenium Preparation in Pediatric Patients Predominantly Suffering from Gastrointestinal Disease
by Jumpei Saito, Eiji Suzuki, Keiko Kobayashi, Keisuke Doi, Yosuke Miwa, Setsuko Ihara, Kei Nakai and Miki Akabane
Nutrients 2024, 16(18), 3142; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16183142 - 17 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2562
Abstract
Objectives: Selenium deficiency in patients with gastrointestinal diseases treated with long-term central venous nutrition is a clinical problem. Only injectable selenium is approved in Japan, and oral selenium preparations are prepared in hospitals from reagents, but their efficacy and safety are unknown. Methods: [...] Read more.
Objectives: Selenium deficiency in patients with gastrointestinal diseases treated with long-term central venous nutrition is a clinical problem. Only injectable selenium is approved in Japan, and oral selenium preparations are prepared in hospitals from reagents, but their efficacy and safety are unknown. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study investigating the relationship between selenium administration and oral selenium formulations and adverse events. Results: In this study, 239 selenium-treated cases and 220 selenium-untreated cases adjusted for patient background were selected as a reference group. The median (interquartile range, IQR) age was 1.3 (0.4–4.4) and 1.3 (0.3–4.5) years, respectively; gastrointestinal diseases were most common in 110 (46.0%) and 104 (47.3%) cases. The median (IQR) duration of treatment or observation with oral selenium was 446 (128–1157) and 414 (141–1064) days, respectively. The median (IQR) dose per body weight at the maintenance dose was 2.6 (1.7–3.9) μg/kg, and the median (IQR) serum selenium concentration at the maintenance dose was 8.5 (7.0–10.6) μg/mL within the upper tolerated dose limit and approximately the reference range. There was no difference in selenium dose, serum selenium concentration, or serum-selenium-concentration-to-dose ratio (C/D ratio) for adverse events. The incidence of adverse events was compared with that of patients not treated with selenium. Conclusions: An oral selenium preparation administered below the upper tolerated dose limit can be used effectively and safely in pediatric patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Nutrition in Pediatric Gastrointestinal Diseases)
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Review

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24 pages, 846 KB  
Review
Nutritional Strategies for Intestinal Rehabilitation in Children with Short Bowel Syndrome: A Narrative Review
by Inna Spector Cohen, Hadar Moran-Lev, Reut Levi, Hofit Golden and Igor Sukhotnik
Nutrients 2026, 18(2), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18020180 - 6 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1418
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Nutritional management is fundamental to intestinal rehabilitation in children with short bowel syndrome (SBS), yet clinical practice remains heterogeneous and largely guided by expert opinion. Enteral nutrition (EN) is the main driver of intestinal adaptation and progression toward enteral autonomy, but optimal [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Nutritional management is fundamental to intestinal rehabilitation in children with short bowel syndrome (SBS), yet clinical practice remains heterogeneous and largely guided by expert opinion. Enteral nutrition (EN) is the main driver of intestinal adaptation and progression toward enteral autonomy, but optimal strategies vary according to residual bowel anatomy, postoperative phase, and feeding tolerance. This review aimed to synthesize available evidence on nutritional strategies for pediatric SBS, with a focus on EN initiation, advancement, composition, and outcomes. Methods: A structured literature search was conducted in MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), SciELO, and Google Scholar for studies published between January 1975 and October 2025. Pediatric clinical studies addressing nutritional management in SBS were eligible. Study selection followed predefined PICO criteria, with independent screening and quality appraisal by two reviewers, in accordance with PRISMA-ScR reporting standards. Results: One hundred and thirty pediatric clinical studies were included, the majority of which were observational, with few randomized controlled trials. EN consistently emerged as a key determinant of intestinal adaptation and progression toward enteral autonomy across all phases of SBS. Outcomes were strongly influenced by residual bowel anatomy, presence of the ileocecal valve and colon, and feeding tolerance. Substantial variability was observed in feeding routes, modalities, diet composition, and advancement strategies. Conclusions: EN is a cornerstone of intestinal rehabilitation in pediatric SBS; however, current recommendations rely mainly on observational evidence. Prospective multicenter studies are needed to define optimal nutritional strategies and strengthen evidence-based practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Nutrition in Pediatric Gastrointestinal Diseases)
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10 pages, 265 KB  
Review
An Overview of Nutritional Interventions in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
by Ramit Magen-Rimon, Andrew S. Day and Ron Shaoul
Nutrients 2024, 16(18), 3055; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16183055 - 10 Sep 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4382
Abstract
Food is an important environmental factor in the development of inflammatory bowel diseases, chronic immune-mediated diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Consequently, there is significant focus on the role that dietary approaches might have in the management of these diseases. The introduction of exclusive [...] Read more.
Food is an important environmental factor in the development of inflammatory bowel diseases, chronic immune-mediated diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Consequently, there is significant focus on the role that dietary approaches might have in the management of these diseases. The introduction of exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) as a treatment option for induction of remission in Crohn’s disease was a breakthrough in disease pathophysiology understanding and has paved the way for dietary options based on this understanding. This review aims to summarize the current data on the effect of different available diets on disease symptoms and the inflammatory process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Nutrition in Pediatric Gastrointestinal Diseases)

Other

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21 pages, 1104 KB  
Systematic Review
Nutritional Status, Body Composition and Growth in Paediatric-Onset Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review
by Chen Sarbagili-Shabat, Floor Timmer, Konstantina Morogianni, Ralph de Vries, Tim de Meij, Nikki van der Kruk, Lana Verstoep, Nicolette Wierdsma and Johan Van Limbergen
Nutrients 2026, 18(1), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18010169 - 5 Jan 2026
Viewed by 963
Abstract
Background: Growth impairment and poor nutritional status are recognized complications of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), yet data specific to ulcerative colitis (UC) are limited. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of current knowledge on growth, nutritional status, and body composition [...] Read more.
Background: Growth impairment and poor nutritional status are recognized complications of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), yet data specific to ulcerative colitis (UC) are limited. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of current knowledge on growth, nutritional status, and body composition in children and adolescents with UC. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed up to August 2025. Studies including patients aged 5–22 years with confirmed UC were reviewed. Results related to growth, nutritional status, and body composition were narratively synthesized to summarize findings. Results: Fifteen studies with 1575 patients with UC met inclusion criteria, comprising 5 prospective, 5 cross-sectional, and 5 retrospective designs. Although the included studies were conducted in broader IBD cohorts, only UC-specific outcomes were reported. The data were limited by sample size, heterogeneity in patient characteristics, outcome definitions, and assessment methods. The majority of patients had prolonged disease with remission or mild activity. Growth failure prevalence ranged from 7% to 36%, with weight deficits being more common than height deficits. Undernutrition affected up to 25% of patients, with variability across studies. Overweight and obesity were also observed, though most studies showed no significant differences between UC patients and controls. Only five very small studies assessed body composition, reporting inconsistent findings regarding reductions in lean body mass. Conclusions: Growth impairment and poor nutritional status can occur in children and adolescents with UC. Larger, standardized, high-quality studies focused specifically on UC are needed to better characterize its impact on growth and nutritional status, including the essential integration of body composition assessment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Nutrition in Pediatric Gastrointestinal Diseases)
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40 pages, 876 KB  
Systematic Review
Short- and Long-Term Nutritional Status in Children and Adolescents with Celiac Disease Following a Gluten-Free Diet: A Systematic Review
by Maria Papoutsaki, Christina N. Katsagoni and Alexandra Papadopoulou
Nutrients 2025, 17(3), 487; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17030487 - 29 Jan 2025
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5726
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Numerous studies have highlighted the nutritional imbalances that are commonly observed in children and adolescents diagnosed with celiac disease (CD) who follow a gluten-free diet (GFD). However, the development and timeline of these nutritional deficiencies remain unclear. The aim of the present [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Numerous studies have highlighted the nutritional imbalances that are commonly observed in children and adolescents diagnosed with celiac disease (CD) who follow a gluten-free diet (GFD). However, the development and timeline of these nutritional deficiencies remain unclear. The aim of the present study is to investigate the short-term (≥6 months to <12 months) and long-term (≥12 months) association between adherence to a GFD and nutrient intake as well as micronutrient blood status in children and adolescents aged from 0 to 18 years with CD. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in PubMed and Scopus for observational studies published up to June 2024. Results: A total of 15 studies (case–control, cross-sectional, and prospective studies) with 2004 children and adolescents were included. Their quality was assessed using the ROBINS-E tool. Despite the lack of high-quality data and the heterogeneity of the methods used in the included studies, the results of the cross-sectional/case–control studies show that, in the short term, children and adolescents with CD consumed excessive amounts of protein and carbohydrates compared to controls. After long-term adherence to a GFD, significant changes in the diets of children and adolescents with CD persisted. Fat intake was higher, while protein intake remained excessive compared to controls. Based on prospective studies, vitamin C and iodine intake improved both in the short and long term after adherence to a GFD. However, most other nutrients either remain inadequate or continue to decline, indicating that it is difficult to meet nutrient requirements despite dietary adjustments. Conclusions: Gaps in adherence to dietary recommendations appear to be widespread in children and adolescents with CD, emphasizing the need for improved diet quality and regular monitoring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Nutrition in Pediatric Gastrointestinal Diseases)
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