Dr. Lynn Cates
Specializing in pediatric infectious diseases and childhood immunizations.
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 Ask Dr. Cates
A Suitable Diet for a Child with Special Needs | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Cates,
Since the last 24 months, my six-year-old baby has been paralyzed due to inflammation in her cerebrum. Before this, her medical history was good -- all health parameters were fine and she was a good student in her nursery school. She is improving very slowly, and now she can sit up on her own for five minutes. Her I.Q., senses, and memory are excellent, but she can't speak. She conveys her desires with the help of her facial expression. In the last 24 months, she has not added any weight to her 13 kilograms. She is very thin, shows all of her ribs. Please suggest some food supplements that could aid her recovery.
— Hira in Karachi, Pakistan | | | ANSWER |
November 28, 2000 | | | Dear Hira,
You're right that it's especially important for children to get good nourishment when they're recovering from health problems. Your daughter has very special needs, and her failure to gain weight suggests that her feeding requirements need to be carefully evaluated. Since you may need help not only with selecting her diet, but also with the way you prepare foods and feed her, I strongly recommend that you seek help from healthcare providers in your local community.
— by Lynn Cates, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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