For Patients and Visitors

Nutrition Program

Children’s Hospital of Richmond offers a comprehensive pediatric Nutrition Program that serves patients from birth to the age of 21. The goal of the Nutrition Program is to provide for a child’s overall health and nutritional well-being.

The program is staffed by three registered dietitians/nutritionists with more than 25 years combined experience in clinical nutrition. These dietitians provide nutritional screenings, medical nutrition therapy, individual nutrition counseling and strategies for dealing with nutrition issues, all of which can be helpful in managing a child’s medical condition. All Nutrition Program services are available for children with complex medical issues as well as for children who have no medical diagnoses, but whose families have questions or concerns about their child’s nutritional status.

SERVICES

The program’s registered dietitians/ nutritionists specializes in areas related to:

  • Cerebral palsy
  • Developmental disorders
  • Diabetes management
  • Eating disorders (Anorexia, Bulimia)
  • Enteral feedings
  • Failure to thrive
  • Feeding disorders
  • Food allergies
  • Ketogenic diet programs for treatment of seizures (in conjunction with VCU Health System)
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Obesity/weight management
  • Traumatic brain injury

Outpatient Services provided by the Nutrition Program are offered through various clinics and programs as well as through general outpatient referrals. In addition, the Nutrition Program works closely with the hospital’s Pediatric Feeding Disorders Program.

Registered dietitians/nutritionists provide evaluations/assessments to develop a better understanding of a child or adolescent’s nutritional status or problems. They then offer recommendations/counseling to the child and family about the appropriate nutritional therapy or care plan to improve the child’s health. For treatment of nutritional problems such as eating disorders, obesity and feeding issues, recommendations may include consultation with the hospital’s Psychology Department as appropriate.

Information and Referrals

Referrals to the Nutrition Program may be initiated by physicians, parents, schools or other community agencies. To refer a patient or for more information, call the Patient Services Call Center at (804) 228-5818.

The information on this site is provided for informational and educational purposes only; it does not contain specific medical advice. If you have specific health questions or problems, consult a health care professional for personal medical advice.