ABSTRACT
The newborn infant requires nutrition not only for tissue maintenance and normal metabolism but also for growth—a term newborn grows at a rate of 25—30 g per day over the first 6 months of life, so that weight has doubled by the age of 5 months. Growth of all pediatric surgical patients, especially those receiving artificial nutritional support, should be monitored longitudinally using appropriate national charts. The body composition of newborn infants is markedly different from that of adults: total body water varies from 87" of body weight at 24–25 weeks gestation to 71" at term and 50" in adulthood. The most frequent indications in pediatric surgery are intestinal obstruction due to congenital anomalies, although acquired conditions may require parenteral nutrition (PN) for variable lengths of time. Carbohydrates and fat provide the main energy sources in the diet, and this is reflected by their importance as a source of calories in PN.
