Children who have spina bifida often have different dietary needs than their peers without spina bifida. This guide outlines the risks that patients with spina bifida might face when it comes to their diet, and details on how to reduce those risks.
What are the calorie recommendations for children who have spina bifida?
After infancy, children with spina bifida usually need about half of the Recommended Daily Amount (RDA) of calories for their age group.
What are some suggested foods for patients who have spina bifida to meet their nutritional needs?
| Food Group | Recommended Foods |
|---|---|
| Milk/alternatives | Low fat or fat-free milks, cheeses, yogurt |
| Meats/proteins | Tender, well cooked, lean cuts of meat/poultry Eggs Nuts/nut butters Legumes |
| Grains | Whole grains |
| Vegetables | All -- aim for at least half of your plate to be vegetables in a variety of colors! |
| Fruits | All -- aim for a variety of colors! |
| Fats/oils | Heart-healthy oils like olive oil or avocado oil |
What are some common diet challenges for children who have spina bifida?
Children who have spina bifida face an increased risk of constipation, weakened bones, and obesity.
Prevent Constipation: Fiber and Water Intake
To avoid becoming constipated, make sure your child is getting enough fiber in their diet and staying hydrated. See the tables below for the recommended daily fiber intake by age group, as well as some recommended sources of fiber.
| Age Group | Grams of Fiber per Day |
|---|---|
| 12-23 months | 19 |
| 2-3 years | 14 |
| 4-8 years | Males: 20; Females: 17 |
| 9-13 years | Males: 25; Females: 22 |
| 14-18 years | Males: 31; Females: 25 |
| Food Group | High Fiber Foods (with at least 4 grams per serving) serving size = 1 cup, unless otherwise noted |
|---|---|
| Meats/proteins | Beans (0.5 cups), ground flaxseed (2 tablespoons), lentils (0.5 cups), soybeans (0.5 cups), chia seeds (1 ounce) |
| Grains | Bran cereal (0.5 cups), oatmeal, popcorn, quinoa (0.5 cups), whole wheat noodles |
| Vegetables | Peas, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, sweet potato, carrots, kale, pumpkin, snow peas, spinach, cauliflower |
| Fruits | Apple with skin (1 medium), orange (1 medium), berries, pear (1 medium), avocado (1 medium), kiwi, guava, passionfruit (0.25 cups) |
Strong Bones: Calcium and Vitamin D
To help fight the risk of weakened bones in patients with spina bifida, their diet should include enough calcium and vitamin D. Visit our page on Calcium and Vitamin D for more information.
| Age | Calcium needed per day (in mg) | Vitamin D needed per day (in IU) |
|---|---|---|
| 0-6 months | 200 | 400 |
| 6-12 months | 260 | 400 |
| 1-3 years | 700 | 600 |
| 4-8 years | 1000 | 600 |
| 9-13 years | 1300 | 600 |
| 14-18 years | 1300 | 600 |
Healthy Weight: Fiber, Protein, Whole Grains, Fruits, and Vegetables
People with spina bifida face an increased risk of becoming overweight or obese. This risk is even higher for individuals who also have sleep apnea. It is important to maintain a diet that contains enough fiber, protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables* to stay at a healthy weight. See below for more details about specific risks by age.
- Infancy through age 2: At risk for slow weight gain and inadequate nutrition. Through age 4, most children are expected to follow CDC growth curve charts.
- Age 3-5 years: Around age 4, an increase in fat mass and decrease in lean (muscle) mass begins, which results in less calories per day being used. This is usually when we see decreased growth in height, which decreases calories being used per day.
- Age 6-12 years: As physical activity begins to decrease, there is a higher risk for bone fractures. Make sure your child is getting enough calcium and vitamin D to lower this risk.
- Age 13-17 years: If the person’s weight is not well managed, it can result in increased respiratory complications as well as increased risk of pressure sores/wounds.
* If a person with spina bifida has latex allergy, they can limit some fruit and vegetable intake. Fruits/vegetables with highest chance of cross reactivity include: bananas, kiwis, avocados, potatoes, eggplants and bell peppers.
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of your health care providers. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor or others on your health care team. If you are a Gillette patient with urgent questions or concerns, please contact Telehealth Nursing at 651-229-3890.