ARS | Publication request: Carbohydrates: changes with development

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: December 20, 2009
Publication Date: February 1, 2010
Citation: Mehta, S., Shulman, R.J. 2010. Carbohydrates: changes with development. In: Corkins, M.R., editor. The A.S.P.N. Pediatric Nutrition Support Core Curriculum. Silver Spring, MD: American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN). p 17-21.

Technical Abstract: The A.S.P.E.N. pediatric core curriculum focuses on the pediatric patient and the importance of nutrition to the growth and development of children. It is written with an interdisciplinary evidence-based approach and is designed to meet the educational needs of any discipline involved in the nutrition care of pediatric patients. This curriculum is designed to logically progress from the basic nutrition physiology and changes that occur during development to the skills needed to provide appropriate nutrition for pediatric patients. In each chapter, didactic tools like learning objectives stress important information and "test your knowledge" questions help measure whether the important concepts were acquired. This is a valuable resource for certification preparation and the daily nutrition care of pediatric patients. The learning objectives for this chapter are 1) To describe the structure and classification of carbohydrates; 2) To describe the process of carbohydrate digestion and absorption; and 3) To identify diseases related to carbohydrate malabsorption. Carbohydrates form a critical part of the diet. The digestion and absorption of carbohydrates is dependent on the type of sugar and the development stage of the gastrointestinal tract. Knowledge of the development of the ability to digest carbohydrates is vital to determine the best feeding program for infants (preterm and term) as well as children. Sometimes individuals can be born with a genetic defect that prevents them from digesting certain sugars. Other times infections may temporarily impair the ability to digest sugars.