Loading...

Dietetics

To refer to the Paediatric Dietetics service – please use SCI-GW:  AHP – Dietetics >> Edinburgh – Royal Hospital for Children & Young People>> Edinburgh RHCYP.

Please don’t refer to General Paediatrics or Paeds GI for the sole purpose of arranging a dietetics review.

Information

The Paediatric Dietetic Service is a Lothian wide service which provides:

  • Acute in-patient dietetic consultations at RHCYP, SJH, Simpsons Neonatal
  • Out-patient clinics delivered across Lothian – City, East, Mid and West Lothian
  • Home enteral tube feeding dietetic service for children (Centipaed)

A dietetic consultation encompasses a nutritional assessment and agreement of treatment plan, with review / ongoing follow up as required. A summary of the intervention is provided back to the referrer and care team.

Email advice for queries regarding the suitability of a referral is available on RHCYP.dietetics@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

Dietetic Secretary at Royal Hospital for Children and Young People: 0131 312 1075

JB & AC 31.12.21

Who to refer:

  • Faltering growth: Please ensure history of growth measurements history included: see Primary Care Management section for advice on classification of faltering growth
  • Food allergy including CMPA:
    • Please note peanut allergy should be referred directly to Medical Paediatrics.
    • Non-IgE CMPA –Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) – RefHelp (nhslothian.scot) opens a new window
    • IgE CMPA
      • Advise to avoid cows milk protein and prescribe allergy formula if appropriate (Prescribing allergy formula’s opens a new window)
      • If combination fed and infant did not previously react to cow’s milk in maternal diet please advise Mum to continue to keep cow’s milk in her diet.
      • Dietetics to provide skin prick testing on receipt of referral in order to confirm diagnosis. Dietetics to offer milk free weaning advice and reintroduction at 12 months as appropriate.
      • Please advise to avoid lactose free milks/products as these contain cow’s milk protein.
  • Infants with nutrition related co-morbidity, for example: congenital heart disease, cleft palate, developmental delay
  • Infants and children on home enteral tube feeds

Information to include in referral

  • Current weight and height with trend/history
  • Outline nutritional concern. For allergy patients, include allergy focused history
  • Previous or current dietary interventions trialled
  • Relevant medications i.e. anti-reflux, laxatives

How to refer:

  • SCI Gateway: AHP – Dietetics >> Edinburgh – Royal Hospital for Children & Young People>> Edinburgh RHCYP

Who can refer:

  • Medical staff, Nursing staff, Health Visitors, Specialist Nurses and AHPs

Who not to refer:

  • Children aged 16 or over if not under Paediatrician: refer to Adult Dietetic Services
  • Weaning advice: refer to Health Visitor
  • Micronutrient deficiencies without growth concerns: advice sheets can be accessed in Resources
  • Vegetarian/vegan diet without growth concerns: advice sheets can be accessed in Resources
  • Constipation: see Paediatric Gastroenterology [LINK TO BE ADDED]
  • IBSsee Paediatric Gastroenterology opens a new window 
  • Lactose intolerance: Information in Primary Care Management and advice sheets in Resources
  • Non-coeliac gluten sensitivity: Information in Resources
  • Obesity patients should be referred to Paediatric Weight Management – RefHelp (scot.nhs.uk) opens a new window
  • Nut allergy should be referred to Paediatric General Medicine – RefHelp (scot.nhs.uk) opens a new window
  • Selective eaters without faltering growth or other medical conditions
    • < 5 years: refer to Health Visitor. Information for parents in Resources
    • 5-15 years: Information for parents in Resources
  • Selective eating as part of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Signposting information in Resources
  • Gluten/casein free diet for children with autism

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) if referral required, refer to CAMHS Eating Disorders opens a new window