[Assessment of nutritional status in esophageal atresia].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to find out whether patients who underwent esophageal atresia (EA) surgery suffered from nutritional problems, to compare the nutritional status of these patients with a control group, and to determine if there is a relationship between the type of atresia and the nutritional condition.


METHODS
We selected 25 patients out of a total of 32 who underwent EA surgery in our hospital from 2000 to 2006. A retrospective was conducted study based on the information obtained from the medical histories. A case-control study was also carried out by selecting a control group from a randomized population.


RESULTS
The analyses performed showed that the mean weight and height Z-score was always negative, but not below -2 SD. There was a significant decrease in the weight Z-score between 3 and 9 months and in the weight/size Z-score between 3 and 24 months. Significant differences in weight and size Z-score were found between cases and controls, but not in skin-fold thickness. Independently of the type of atresia and the presence or not of congenital heart defects, no significant differences were found.


CONCLUSIONS
There are significant differences in the weight and height Z-score between cases and controls. We stress the need to be aware of the nutritional status in order to prevent changes that could lead to a further deterioration of the patient.
Zandueta Pascual
L
L
Hospital Infantil Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, España. lalizan08@hotmail.com
Giménez López
V
V
Campos Bernal
A
A
Clavero Montañés
N
N
Olivares López
J L
JL
Elías Pollina
J
J
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012189:Retrospective Studies