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13 indications for a medically prescribed diet
Mary Beth Nierengarten is a freelance medical writer with over 25 years of experience. Her work appears regularly in a number of print and online publications.
A balanced diet is the cornerstone of lifelong physical and mental health. However, some children may have conditions that require a medically prescribed diet. Here’s a look at the medical indications and potential complications for some of them.
For more on special diets in children, check out Special diets and supplements: Do’s and don’ts for children.
A balanced diet is the cornerstone of lifelong physical and mental health. However, some children may have conditions that require a medically prescribed diet. Here’s a look at the medical indications and potential complications for some of them.
Medical indication: Celiac disease; non-celiac gluten sensitivity
Diet: Gluten-free
Complications: Poor growth; constipation; deficiencies in iron, calcium, fiber, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate
Medical indication: Lactose intolerance; galactosemia
Diet: Lactose free
Complications: Deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D; poor weight gain if hypocaloric
Medical indication: Milk protein allergy
Diet: Dairy free
Complications: Possible low in protein, calories, and calcium
Medical indication: Allergy/intolerance; eosinophilic esophagitis
Diet: Elimination
Complications: Deficiencies in calcium, iron, zinc, vitamins D, E, folate, and B12; poor growth and weight gain. Risks will be based on the specific food
Medical indication: Inflammatory bowel disease
Diet: Specific carbohydrate diet
Complications: Potential decreased caloric intake with subsequent poor growth, vitamin D deficiency, and other micronutrient deficiency if not monitored
Medical indication: Constipation; irritable bowel disease
Diet: High fiber
Complications: Diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas
Medical indication: Sorbitol and fructose intolerance
Diet: Sorbitol or fructose free
Complications: Constipation; poor weight gain if hypocaloric
Medical indication: Intractable seizures; metabolic disorder
Diet: Ketogenic
Complications: Poor growth/weight gain; gastrointestinal (vomiting, diarrhea, constipation); anorexia; dehydration; lethargy; irritability; renal stones; acidosis; hyperlipidemia; hypoglycemia; hypertriglyceridemia; bone demineralization; vitamin deficiencies (D, E, Mg, K, Ca, Se, carnitine)
Medical indication: Metabolic diseases
Diet: Metabolic
Complications: Deficiencies in micronutrients; poor growth and weight gain
Medical indication: Poor weight gain
Diet: High-caloric diet
Complications: Hyperlipidemia, excessive protein/fat consumption; refeeding syndrome; obesity if not monitored