We have several programs to manage feeding and nutrition problems.

The Steps to Feeding - Tube Transition clinic offers a two-week, outpatient based, intensive feeding intervention designed to increase oral eating for children who are tube fed. For more information see the handout.

Feeding impairment can be defined as the inability or the refusal to eat sufficiently to support growth and maintain adequate nutritional stores. They may be related to an underlying medical condition, swallowing difficulties, oral-motor difficulties, sensory food aversions, a poor appetite or behavioral challenges. (note - we do not have the resources and appropriate team make-up to deal with predominantly behavioral feeding issues)

Intestinal failure can be defined as the bowel’s inability to absorb nutrients and fluids sufficiently to support growth and maintain adequate nutritional stores. 

Causes of intestinal failure include:

• short bowel syndrome
  
• a history of intestinal resections
  
• a history of intestinal atresia or gastroschisis
  

CHIRP (Children's Hospital Intestinal Rehabilitation Program) is a multidisciplinary program which provides inpatient and outpatient services to patients with intestinal failure. The CHIRP team involves members from a variety of backgrounds including pediatrics, nutrition, gastroenterology and surgery. CHIRP follows all infants and children who require home parenteral nutrition support in British Columbia.