Growth and nutritional indexes in early life predict pulmonary function in cystic fibrosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relation of growth and nutritional status to pulmonary function in young children with cystic fibrosis (CF).


METHODS
The relation of weight-for-age (WFA), height-for-age (HFA), percent ideal body weight (%IBW), and signs of lung disease at age 3 years with pulmonary function at age 6 years was assessed in 931 patients with CF. Associations of changes in WFA from age 3 to 6 on pulmonary function were also assessed.


RESULTS
WFA, HFA, and %IBW were poorly associated with lung disease at age 3 years, but all were strongly associated with pulmonary function at age 6 years. Those with WFA below the 5th percentile at age 3 had lower pulmonary function at age 6 compared with those above the 75th percentile (FEV(1): 86 +/- 20 [SD] versus 102 +/- 18 % predicted, respectively). Pulmonary function was highest in those whose WFA remained >10th percentile from age 3 to 6 (FEV(1): 100 +/- 19 % predicted) and lowest in those who remained <10th percentile (84 +/- 21 % predicted). Patients with signs and symptoms of lung disease at age 3 years had lower pulmonary function at age 6 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Aggressive intervention early in life aimed at growth and nutrition and/or lung disease may affect pulmonary function.
Konstan
Michael W
MW
Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. mwk3@cwru.edu
Butler
Steven M
SM
Wohl
Mary Ellen B
ME
Stoddard
Marcia
M
Matousek
Robert
R
Wagener
Jeffrey S
JS
Johnson
Charles A
CA
Morgan
Wayne J
WJ
D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009752:Nutritional Status