Resting energy expenditure of children attending a rehabilitation programme following head injury.
OBJECTIVE
Increased resting energy expenditure following head injury is well documented, but whether this increase extends into rehabilitation and whether this is affected by changes in body composition have not been studied. The aim of this study was to determine whether children attending a rehabilitation program following head injury had altered energy expenditure and body composition.


METHODS
Measurements of resting energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry were performed in 21 head injured children (mean age 10.2 +/- 3.8 years). Measurement of body composition was performed using total body potassium.


RESULTS
Measured resting energy expenditure values were widely distributed, ranging from 52.3-156.4% of predicted values, yet the mean percentage predicted using Schofield weight, Schofield weight and height and World Health Organization predictive equations were 97.5%, 97.4% and 98.6%, respectively. Mean percentage of expected total body potassium for weight, height and age for head injured children were 85.1 +/- 15.5%, 89.1 +/- 14.1% and 86.9 +/- 15.9%, thus all showed significant depletion.


CONCLUSIONS
During rehabilitation, using predictive equations to estimate resting energy expenditure in this group revealed a small bias on average but very large bias at the individual level. Head injured children had altered resting energy expenditure and body composition.
Littlewood
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RA
Statewide Paediatric Rehabilitation Service, Royal Children's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, Australia.
Trocki
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O
Shepherd
R W
RW
Shepherd
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000886:Anthropometry; D001481:Basal Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012737:Sex Factors