The energy required by an underweight child for catch-up growth can be estimated.
Patient selection: pediatric patient less than 5% for age and gender (with higher percentile for height)
Parameters:
(1) ideal body weight for age, gender and race
(2) current body weight
(3) normal energy intake for age in kcal per kg per day
additional energy needed for catch-up growth in kcal per kg per day =
= (ideal body weight) / (current body weight) * (normal energy intake)
As body weight increases the additional energy intake will decline towards normal.
