Care of children with conditions characterized by high nutritional risks.

A key to any successful preventive nutritional program is long-term follow up, 
reinforcement, and early intervention when necessary. The dietitian must evaluate the 
effectiveness of her approach through careful monitoring of various parameters of 
growth, such as length, weight, head circumference, and skinfold measurements. It 
is essential that she be aware of the advantages, limitations, and 
complications of any dietary program. We have described only three examples 
of complex nutritional problems encountered in the intensive care nursery. There 
are many more equally challenging and frustrating medical and surgical disorders 
which demand the expertise of the dietitian for successful management. The 
dietitian of the future cannot rely on knowledge alone, but must 
utilize considerable ingenuity and creativity in managing these complicated nutritional enigmas 
if acceptance and effectiveness are to be maintained. 