Pediatric Nutrition

Pediatric nutrition is the maintenance of a proper well-symmetrical diet consisting of the essential nutrients and the capable caloric intake necessary to promote growth and sustain the physiologic requirements at the various stages of a child's development. Infant nutritional needs vary considerably with age, level of recreation, and environmental conditions and they are directly related to the rate of growth. During the infant stage the need for calories is greater than any postpartum stage due to rapid increase in both height and weight. In general, the average child expands 55% of energy on metabolic maintenance, 25% on activity, 12% growth, and 8% on excretion.