Clinical Dietetics
The Department of Clinical Dietitians is composed of 33 registered dietitians and four breastfeeding support nurses. Each dietitian works within their respective program to assess the nutritional status and needs of paediatric patients at risk of less than optimal nutrition to support their growth and well being. They develop, implement, monitor and adjust nutritional care plans based on this assessment and each child’s on-going medical condition.
Given the acuity of medical conditions the children in our care face and the resultant impact on nutritional status and growth, a significant proportion of the children followed are receiving nutrition via total parenteral nutrition or enteral tube feedings. Breastfeeding support nurses work with families and teams to support the use of human milk feeding during the infant’s first year of life. They assess milk supply and delivery, make adaptations and educate as appropriate for each family’s unique situation and child’s medical condition. Both dietitians and nurses in the department are heavily committed to the education of staff, dietetic interns and students. Many staff are involved in on-going research projects.
Please Note: We regret that we cannot make recommendations on individual dietary concerns. We can suggest where to seek advice. Please contact Aneta Plaga at aneta.plaga@sickkids.ca