Five-year prospective analysis of dietary intake and clinical status in malnourished cystic fibrosis patients.
BACKGROUND
Poor growth and malnutrition still pose a problem in cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of the present study was to assess nutrition, as well as clinical status, of malnourished CF patients during a nutritional care programme.


METHODS
The study comprised 38 CF patients, aged 1-18 years old. The prospective annual assessment of dietary intake and clinical status was carried out during 1994-98.


RESULTS
The energy intake increased, in comparison with recommended daily allowances, from 83.6 +/- 4.8% in 1994 to 107.9 +/- 4.9% in 1998. A similar tendency was observed for the percentage of energy derived from fat (30.3 +/- 0.8% versus 35.1 +/- 0.8%) and protein (11.4 +/- 0.4% versus 13.8 +/- 0.4%). In subsequent years of the study, an improvement in the fat profile of the diet (with a higher consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids) was observed. The observed increase of vitamin A and E consumption was related chiefly to changes in the doses of supplementation. During these 5 years, an improvement in nutritional status (Z-score: height -1.34 +/- 0.13 versus -1.08 +/- 0.14 and weight -1.40 +/- 0.09 versus -1.12 +/- 0.08) and lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s: 75.5 +/- 2.0% versus 77.8 +/- 2.2%) was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The nutritional care programme resulted in stable quantitative and qualitative changes in dietary intake. Although the diet does not reach the recommended level of high-energy intake, the positive impact of increasing nutrient intake on the nutritional and clinical status of malnourished CF patients was documented.
Walkowiak
J
J
Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Institute of Pediatrics, Poznan, Poland. jarwalk@am.poznan.pl
Przyslawski
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications*; D004032:Diet; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications* / Q000178:diet therapy; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage
D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D014815:Vitamins