Diagnostic Procedures

The Section of Pediatric Nutrition is staffed by a group of dedicated nutrition specialists for the care of both inpatient and outpatient nutrition cases under the supervision of Dr. Michael Pettei. In addition to his M.D. and subspecialization in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Dr. Pettei has a PhD in bioorganic chemistry and is a Certified Nutrition Support Physician (CNSP) from the National Board of Nutrition Support Certification and is a recognized Physician Nutrition Specialist from the American Board of Physician Nutrition Specialists. The goals of the group are to help maximize the normal growth and development of children, to help educate patients, parents, and healthcare providers on nutritional issues, and to nutritionally support the children who are at nutritional risk due to illness. A wide variety of nutritional problems including failure to thrive, food allergy, feeding problems, short bowel syndrome, cystic fibrosis, obesity, special diets, nutritional deficiencies in chronic illness, and nutritional needs of handicapped are cared for.

Dr. Pettei is also the director of the inpatient Pediatric Nutrition Support Team at Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center. In this capacity, the team (physician, dietitians, pharmacists, nurses) supervise the specialized nutritional needs of the hospitalized pediatric patients, particularly with regard to intravenous nutrition (hyperalimentation) and specialized diets.