The role of nutrition in optimizing pediatric surgical outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.

Nutrition is a key aspect of growth and development. Nutrition is especially important in times of increased physiological stress such as injury, infection, and surgery. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) malnutrition is a significant challenge that may uniquely impact management of surgical patients. In surgical patients, nutrition is important for wound healing, infection resistance, and recovery. Pediatric surgical patients are a special population as they have different nutritional requirements than their adult counterparts. Pediatric surgical patients are also a vulnerable population in LMICs where they have limited access to safe and affordable care. Subpopulations, such as burn, neonatal, and oncology patients, have unique nutritional needs that also impact surgical outcomes. This review explores the intersection of nutrition and infection outcomes in three key pediatric surgical populations in LMICs: burn patients, surgical neonates, and pediatric oncology patients.