Nutritional Care of Hospitalized Children in Belgium: A Follow-Up Survey

Background: A 2014 survey showed nutritional management could be improved in Belgian pediatric departments. This follow-up survey aimed to: (1) list allied health resources/staffing in Belgian pediatric departments, (2) survey nutritional screening and follow-up, and (3) identify barriers. Methods: A nationwide survey (February-April 2021) via national and regional pediatric associations. Results: 61/90 (67.8%) of Belgian pediatric departments responded (80.1% of all Belgian pediatric hospital beds); 60.7% of the respondents were from larger centers (LCs, ≥20 beds). A dietitian was present in 80.3% of all responding units (LCs vs. smaller centers (SCs): p = 0.133), compared to 46.5% in the 2014 survey. Most dietitians seldom or never participate in ward rounds (86.9%) and participate only ad hoc to case discussions (72.1%). Systematic nutritional screening is implemented in 32.8% of pediatric departments. The screening tool STRONGkids is used in 30% of responding centers, compared to 21% in 2014. The most common barriers to conducting nutritional screening were lack of time (59.0%), a lack of knowledge (47.5%), and a lack of staff (42.6%). In French-speaking centers (FrCs), a positive screening result most often led to referral to a dietitian (86.7%), whereas in Dutch-speaking centers (DuCs), it more frequently resulted in a discussion with the pediatrician about nutritional management (54.3%) than referral to a dietitian (34.8%). Nutritional follow-up after discharge is most often conducted by a physician, with or without the involvement of a dietitian (95.1%), rather than a dietitian alone (3.3%). Malnutrition management barriers included "no barriers" (50.8%), a lack of knowledge (34.4%), a lack of reimbursement (24.6%), and a lack of time (24.6%). The barriers remain largely unchanged compared to 2014. Conclusions: The increasing availability of dietitians and the use of a screening tool in pediatric departments suggest an encouraging but limited improvement in nutritional care in Belgium. Persistent barriers that have remained unchanged since 2014 continue to hinder substantial advancements in nutritional care.