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Why Nutrition Matters for Growing Children

Children require adequate nutrition for normal physical growth, brain development and immune function. When a child's intake doesn't meet their needs, malnutrition can delay development and affect recovery from illness. 1

Malnutrition in children is more common than many think, often going undetected, especially in those with underlying disease. Early recognition and support can make a real difference. 2-4

Malnutrition can have a range of impacts on children including: impaired physical growth where children may not reach their height potential; delayed neurological development which can affect learning and cognitive function; longer hospital stays as recovery takes longer; and a reduced quality of life due to less energy for play and learning.

Supporting Nutrition When Food Isn't Enough

Oral nutritional supplements: When appetite is low or eating is difficult, oral nutritional supplements like Frebini* ENERGY Drink and Frebini ENERGY FIBRE Drink can help boost energy and nutrient intake. Familiar flavours (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry) also help with acceptance and use.5,6

Tube feeding:  When oral intake isn’t possible or insufficient, tube feeding can deliver complete nutrition directly to the stomach or intestine. Many children still eat normally alongside tube feeding when it is safe to do so.

Frebini tube feeds* are available in ORIGINAL and higher-calorie ENERGY formulations, both of which come in FIBRE variations.

Fresubin's Freibini range is specifically designed for children and comes in a range of formats and flavours, including Frebini ORIGINAL Tube Feed and Frebini Chocolate-flavoured ENERGY FIBRE Drink.

Leni's Story: Quality Time Together

When Leni needed tube feeding due to a rare condition called lissencephaly, her family worried it would take over their lives. Instead, it brought relief, no more stressful mealtimes trying to get her to eat enough. Her parents knew she was getting the nutrition she needed to grow.

Thanks to Fresubin's Frebini nutritional support, Leni's family say, "We gained more time to cuddle, play, and just be together. Tube feeding gave us back those normal family moments."

*Frebini products are food for special medical purposes, to be used under medical supervision. For the dietary management of children (1 – 12 years) in case/risk of malnutrition, especially with increased energy needs and/or fluid restrictions. 
1Mehta NM, Corkins MR, Lyman B, Malone A, Goday PS, Carney LN, et al. Defining pediatric malnutrition: a paradigm shift toward etiology-related definitions. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2013;37(4):460-81.
2Bryce J, Boschi-Pinto C, Shibuya K, Black RE. WHO estimates of the causes of death in children. Lancet 2005; 365(9465):1147-1152.
3ONS to tackle malnutrition. A summary of evidence base. Medical Nutrition International Industry (MNI), 2012.
4McCarthy A, Delvin E, Marcil V, Belanger V, Marchand V, Boctor D, et al. Prevalence of Malnutrition in Pediatric Hospitals in Developed and In-Transition Countries: The Impact of Hospital Practices. Nutrients. 2019;11(2).
5Alarcon PA, Lin LH, Noche M, Jr., Hernandez VC, Cimafranca L, Lam W et al. Effect of oral supplementation on catch-up growth in picky eaters. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2003; 42(3):209-217.
6Huynh DTT, Estorninos E, Capeding RZ, Oliver JS, Low YL, Rosales FJ. Longitudinal growth and health outcomes in nutritionally at-risk children who received long-term nutritional intervention. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. 2015;28(6):623-35.