Nutrition management in chronic liver disease

Liver has a central role in nutritional homeostasis and any liver disease leads to abnormalities in nutrient metabolism and subsequent malnutrition. All children with chronic liver disease (CLD) must undergo a periodic nutritional assessment--medical history, anthropometry esp. skinfold thickness and mid-arm circumference, and biochemical estimation of body nutrients. Nutritional rehabilitation is catered to the individual child but generally the caloric intake is increased to 130% of RDA by adding glucose polymers and/or MCT oil (coconut oil) with essential fatty acid supplementation (sunflower oil). The enteral route is preferred and occasionally nasogastric and/or nocturnal feeding are required to ensure an adequate intake. Proteins rich in branched chain amino acids are given in moderation (2-3 gm/kg/day) in compensated cirrhotics unless encephalopathy occurs when protein restriction may be necessary (1 gm/kg/day). Fat-soluble vitamins are supplemented in large quantities esp. in cholestasis along with other vitamins and minerals. Dietary therapy is the mainstay of management of some metabolic liver diseases and may be curative in disorders like galactosemia, fructosemia and glycogen storage disorders. Pre and postoperative nutritional support is an important factor in improving survival after liver transplantation.