208 Nutritional intervention among children with CF

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the effect of a six months' implementation of a nutritional intervention protocol on nutritional status in patients with cystic fibrosis. Methods: Nutritional status of 77 patients with CF (53.2% males, mean age 10.73+/-6.67 years, was evaluated. Anthropometry was expressed as z-scores for age and sex using WHO Anthro software and classified following the WHO criteria and Frisancho references for MUACp, TSTp and MAMCp. Phase angle (PhA) and body cell mass (BCM) were assessed by BIA. Three-day food intake and 24 h recall (five-pass) were recorded and analyzed using the "Food Processor" software. The intervention protocol was based on specific nutrition recommendations. Fifty-two children were re-evaluated 3 and 6 months later. Results: The mean value for Weight-Height z score was -0.04 (+/-1.65), Height- age z was -0.37 (+/-1.19), Weight-age z was -0.22 (+/-1.39), BMI-age z was 0.07 (+/-1.32), MUACz was -0.12 (+/-1.29), TSFz was 0.06 (+/-1.03). The mean value of the BMIp was 50.16. The mean PhA values were 4.94 (+/-0.91). Six months after the initiation of nutritional intervention, energy intake/total energy expenditure ratio (median) was significantly increased (p = 0.001). Mean values of Waz, Haz and MUACz were significantly improved (p = 0.039, p = 0.020 and p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusions: The implementation of a nutritional intervention protocol can improve further nutrition intake, as well as the overall nutritional status, in a short term study. Longer implementation and regular follow-up are expected to further improve outcome.