title: Dietary management of chronic diarrhea in children.
abstract: This study evaluated the benefit of a gastroenterology nurse clinician providing dietary instructions to parents of children with recurrent diarrhea. These instructions for returning the child to a normal age-appropriate diet were given by telephone at the time of referral. Data analysis indicated that parents reported a decreased number of stools and an improved stool consistency during the waiting period for a clinic appointment, regardless of whether or not they received dietary instructions. Children in the control group lost an average of 0.4 g/day of weight while those whose parents received dietary instructions gained an average of 1.57 g/day. This difference in weight is clinically important and reinforces the premise that children with chronic diarrhea often receive calorie-deficient diets. The results of this study emphasize the important role that gastroenterology nurses play in the management of chronic diarrhea in children.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ellett
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Winchester
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences / Q000193:education*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000592:standards*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D012008:Recurrence