ABSTRACT
Children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) are a heterogeneous group of children with chronic medical, behavioral, and developmental conditions. CYSHCN represent almost 20% of the total population of children in the United States. Dietitians play an integral role in promoting health and well-being in this population, given the high rates of nutrition risk factors. CYSHCN have a wide variety and severity of nutrition and growth issues. Nutrition care for CYSHCN is often complex, individualized, and longitudinal. Initial nutrition assessments for this population can be time consuming and multifaceted. Partnering with families and multidisciplinary teams of CYSHCN is essential for the delivery of optimal and sustainable nutrition care. While several academic, government, and disease-specific organizations describe best practices for nutrition support for CYSHCN, there is minimal evidence-based literature on the subject. This chapter aims to highlight common themes in providing nutrition care for CYSHCN with examples of specific diseases and disorders that a dietitian may encounter.
