Introduction
 
NPO or absence of oral feeding in long term for hospitalized patients and insufficient attention to correct diet of them in hospitals can be seen. Regard to the impact of this issue on nutritional status and growth of children, this study with the aim of identifying the limitations about the nutritional supports of NPO children was done in Mashhad Dr Sheikh children hospital.
Materials and Methods
This cross-sectional study was carried out in all wards of the Dr Sheikh children hospital with a questionnaire which included the items of nutritional cares for NPO children.
Results
Results of the present study showed that the total NPO patients during the study were 31.7 percent of the all patients of the hospital. Reasons of NPO in these patients included esophageal atresia, diaphragmatic hernia, abdominal distention, intestinal obstruction, intestinal mal-rotation, imperforated anus, ileus, other surgery procedures, respiratory distress and loss of consciousness level, unclear reasons and carelessness of staff and biopsy.
Nearly 88 percent of patients had total parenteral nutrition (TPN) during the NPO time. A total of 88.23 percent of patients received intravenous dextrose water serums during the NPO time and 52 percent of them received less than 10 percent of their energy needs during the NPO time.
Conclusion
The present study showed that the most important reason of the NPO was surgery in Dr Sheikh children hospital and majority of the NPO patients did not receive sufficient energy during the NPO time. More future researches are needed on the nutrition of NPO children.