Abstract
Objective: To review and demonstrate, through a narrative review, the importance of pediatric nutrition in surgical patients. Literature review: Infant mortality associated with surgery decreased rapidly due to improved nutritional assistance for these patients. It is known that, in short, most surgical procedures in pediatrics occur on an outpatient basis, thus, there is less hospital stay, early ambulation and quick recovery. However, a malnourished child can progress to unwanted complications. It is necessary to choose the most adequate food method for each patient and also its most appropriate route, which can be spontaneously orally, through long-term tubes such as nasogastric and nasoenteral tubes, as well as gastrostomies and jejunostomies. Final considerations: It is necessary for the physician to know the nutritional needs of each patient, respecting their age and particularities, in order to provide the necessary metabolic demands and the necessary nutrients, before the risk of complications in the postoperative period.