P1004 - NUTRITIONAL CARE FOLLOWING HOSPITAL DISCHARGE IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS : A EUROPEAN AND CANADIAN SURVEY

P1004

NUTRITIONAL CARE FOLLOWING HOSPITAL DISCHARGE IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS : A EUROPEAN AND CANADIAN SURVEY

E. van Steenbergen^1,^2,*, E. van der Louw², J. Hulst³, E. van den Berg⁴, K. Dulfer^1,⁵, S. Verbruggen¹, R. Meyer⁶, K. Huysentruyt⁷, K. Joosten¹

¹Department of Intensive Care Neonatal and Children, ²Department of Internal Medicine - Dietetics, ErasmusMC, Rotterdam, Netherlands, ³Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, SickKids, Toronto, Canada, ⁴Department of Dietetics, Catharina Ziekenhuis, Eindhoven, ⁵Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, ErasmusMC, Rotterdam, Netherlands, ⁶Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, ⁷Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology and nutrition, UZ Brussel, Brussel, Belgium

Rationale: Disease-related malnutrition, especially in high income countries due to significant differences in etiology’s of malnutrition, poses a danger for pediatric recovery from illness. Currently, there is limited information on nutritional care following hospital discharge in pediatric patients. This study aims to explore how healthcare professionals in Europe and Canada monitor and evaluate post-discharge nutritional care in this vulnerable group. In addition, it seeks to identify the perceived ideal practices and anticipated barriers to optimal care

Methods: A survey will be conducted between April and June 2025 across several European countries and Canada. The questionnaire will be distributed via ESPEN, ESPGHAN, and the Canadian Malnutrition Task Force to pediatricians with various specializations, dietitians, and nurse practitioners. It includes both open- and closed-ended questions addressing topics such as discharge and referral processes, frequency of follow-up, monitoring and evaluation practices, and professional statements. The survey includes mind-mapping on practices related to specific cases. The questionnaire was developed by the working group and administrated using LimeSurvey®.

Results: A 28-item questionnaire was developed and tested in a pilot, to optimize and gather relevant data. Data collection is ongoing, and preliminary results will be available for presentation at the ESPEN Congress.

Conclusion: Evaluating nutritional care provided to pediatric patients following hospital discharge is essential in order to identify their needs and the barriers to develop well founded recommendations.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared