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Nutrition Therapy

Cystic fibrosis (CF) can affect the pancreas which produces enzymes and fluids to help you digest food. This can cause a number of digestive problems from poor absorption of food and nutrients to gas and constipation and blockage in the digestive tract. The digestive complications of CF can delay weight gain and growth in children, cause weight loss and may lead to malnutrition in patients of all ages if not treated properly. Malnutrition can also affect lung health. Adequate weight gain and growth in children, as well as maintaining proper body weight is crucial for lung health. Good nutrition is essential to keeping you or your child healthy and preventing complications.

Discover our difference

People with CF require more calories than others because food and nutrients are not digested and absorbed normally. It is very important for anyone with CF to eat a well-balanced diet that includes adequate protein, fat and carbohydrates. 
Your dietitian will share ways to increase calories, protein and fat in the diet to meet your nutrition needs. Your CF dietitian will work with your care team to prescribe pancreatic enzymes to digest your food if you require them.  One or more of the following may also be recommended for you or your child:
 
  • High-calorie supplements or shakes containing additional nutrients to increase calories
  • Extra fluids and salt during times of hot weather or high activity to replace salt lost in sweat and prevent dehydration 
  • Nutritional support in the form of tube feeding or IV nutrition  
When it is difficult to meet you or your child’s nutrition needs from eating alone, we will discuss the possible need for supplemental nutrition support. Nutrition support is another tool to keep you or your child as healthy as possible. A feeding tube allows your team to provide you additional calories and protein when you aren’t eating.  For instance, calories and protein can be infused through a feeding tube during the night when you or your child is asleep. A feeding tube may be placed temporarily into the nose and throat. If needed longer term, a tube can be placed directly into the stomach through an opening that a surgeon can make. The tube is then connected to a bag of nutritional formula that enters the body slowly to provide calories and nutrients. If you or your child is unable to eat or receive tube feeding safely, your dietitian and care team will consider IV nutrition given through a vein. This is called parenteral nutrition.

Setting Us Apart
Our CF program at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital has been providing care to children and adolescents from around the world for more than 50 years. 

Our Minnesota Cystic Fibrosis Center is one of only 15 in the United States to be designated as a Therapeutic Development Center by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The Minnesota Cystic Fibrosis Center developed the first therapeutic, airway-clearing CF device. 

Many research studies are being conducted at the University of Minnesota. Some are sponsored by an outside company or organization, and others are initiated by members of our medical staff. 

Related Conditions

Your CF dietitian and nutritional therapy are integral parts of your CF care.

Our Specialties and Services

Other specialties that may be involved in your care include:

Appointments and Locations

Minneapolis

Clinical Nutrition Services
Pediatric Specialty Care Discovery Clinic
2512 Building
​2512 S 7th St.
Minneapolis 55454
Appointments: 612‑365‑6777
Provider Referrals: 612‑365‑6777
Information: 612‑365‑6777
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