title: Could a change in diet revitalize children who suffer from unresolved fatigue?
abstract: Many children deal with fatigue for which no proper treatment can be given. A possible explanation for their fatigue is a micro deficiency of minerals and vitamins. In this non-randomized controlled trial, we clinically evaluated symptoms of fatigue in children for whom a nutrient-rich diet was advised. A group of 98 children (2-18 years old) with unexplained symptoms of fatigue was examined. The dietary modifications consisted of green vegetables, beef, whole milk and full-fat butter. Children in the intervention group were asked to follow the diet for three months, whereas the control-group followed their normal diet. The primary outcome was symptoms of fatigue, as determined by a PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale, and secondary outcomes were compliance with the diet and BMI. Children, who followed the diet showed a significant decrease in the need to sleep (CI 0.83; 14.86, p = 0.03). They slept better through the night and took fewer naps. When analyzing components of the advised diet separately, a significant larger decrease in cognitive fatigue symptoms was seen for eating green vegetables according to the diet guidelines (CI 2.27; 30.63, p = 0.024). Furthermore, a lower need to sleep was seen when whole milk was consumed almost daily (CI 0.02; 14.62, p = 0.049). Our study showed that nutritional advice is an elegant, and effective method for decreasing some symptoms of medically unresolved fatigue in children.
authors.affiliation: University Medical Centre Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. t.g.steenbruggen@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tessa Gerjanne
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Steenbruggen
authors.affiliation: University Medical Centre Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. hoekstrasj@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sietske Johanna
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hoekstra
authors.affiliation: Ziekenhuisgroep Twente, Hengelo, Geerdinksweg 141, 7555 DL Hengelo, The Netherlands. E.vdGaag@zgt.nl.
authors.forename: Ellen José
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: van der Gaag
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D004032:Diet; D005221:Fatigue / Q000178:diet therapy*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk; D008903:Minerals; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012890:Sleep; D014675:Vegetables; D014815:Vitamins
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D014815:Vitamins