Reduction cures in childhood are considered dangerous by many laymen as well as by some physicians, and unless certain fundamental principles are observed, the procedure is not without an element of danger.
The relative energy requirements of a child are considerably in excess of those in adult life. The total daily caloric requirement of a child has four components: (1) the basal caloric requirement, which constitutes the minimum energy needed to enable the body functions to be carried on properly when at rest; (2) sufficient calories to cover the energy used up in muscular work; (3) additional energy for stimulation of cells by ingested food, and (4) requirements for growth and development of new tissues.
Children's dietaries must provide for all four components of the total daily metabolism. In reduction cures, however, it is of great importance not only to diminish the total caloric intake so that the body has