Dietary management of chronic diarrhea in children.

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.