The Nutri’kids Delta Clinic has just been recognized as a Multidisciplinary Pediatric Obesity Care Center (CPMO) by INAMI
Through this agreement, the team now provides care for children and adolescents aged between 2 and 18 who require second-line therapy, in partnership with the general practitioner or the treating pediatrician. Dr. Carole Olive, pediatrician and head of the Nutri’kids Clinic, explains how it operates for patients both within and outside the agreement.
“The Nutri’kids Clinic at Chirec was created in 2018. It offers care for all nutritional issues in children and adolescents, ranging from undernutrition to obesity, including eating behavior disorders in young children,” explains Dr. Olive.
Nutri’kids is now one of 27 CPMOs in Belgium, positioned between the care provided by general practitioners/pediatricians and third-line centers such as the Zeepreventorium and Clairs Vallons.
A Multidisciplinary Approach
The clinic operates on a multidisciplinary model. The team includes two pediatricians (Dr. Carole Olive, clinic lead, and Dr. Adrian Quiros Miramontes), a secretary, a dietitian, a physiotherapist specialized in obesity, a psychologist specialized in obesity, a social worker, a pediatric gastroenterologist, and affiliated physicians (including an ENT specialist, a sleep specialist, etc.).
Physiotherapy is offered through group workshops (hydrotherapy for children and floor gymnastics).
“The idea behind physiotherapy in our center is to help children and adolescents regain self-esteem and confidence,” explains Dr. Olive.
A Care Pathway With or Without the Agreement
The care pathway begins with an initial pediatric consultation in the form of a one-hour nutritional assessment. If the patient appears eligible for the agreement, a full evaluation is then scheduled.
This evaluation includes assessments in dietetics, psychology, physiotherapy, and social support, as well as various additional tests (fasting bloodwork, fasting abdominal ultrasound) and an ENT consultation. If necessary, a polysomnography and a cardiology consultation may also be added to the initial assessment.
In Collaboration With the GP
Appointments are made via the Nutri’kids secretary (contact details below), who will schedule a consultation with one of the two pediatricians.
“At the end of the first consultation with the pediatrician, an evaluation is carried out to determine whether the patient is eligible for the CPMO agreement. If so, a comprehensive assessment is organized over a single day (on Thursdays), followed by a multidisciplinary meeting. The patient is then invited back with their parents—possibly in the presence of their general practitioner—to receive a detailed report of the assessment and discuss the next steps,” explains Dr. Olive.
The pediatrician adds:
“If the patient is included in the agreement, the general practitioner can issue a partnership code allowing for an annual consultation with us. If the patient is not included in the agreement, the general practitioner can issue a support code so that we can still work together, and we will offer dietetic and psychological follow-up for the patient.”
Collaboration Between Sites
It is also worth noting that the Nutri’kids Clinic located at the Braine-l’Alleud hospital site works in collaboration with the Nutri’kids Delta Clinic, particularly for patients suffering from anorexia.
Training in GLEM Groups
Lastly, for general practitioners interested in obesity care, Dr. Olive is happy to visit local GLEM groups to offer training sessions on the management of obesity and eating behavior disorders