Assessment of Nutritional Status in Children with Chronic Lung Disease

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Nutrition plays a critical role in healthy lung development. Inadequacies in the nutritional requirements of a developing lung in utero and in early life can compromise the respiratory system integrity and result in poor lung function, reduced protection against infections and also Undernutrition affects respiratory muscle function, decreases exercise tolerance. Aim of the study: Assessment of nutritional status and nutritional intervention program in children with different chronic lung diseases and their impact on pulmonary function & on clinical severity of lung disease. Methods: 30 Patients with chronic lung diseases (17 patients with bronchiectasis &13 patients with interstitial lung diseases ) with a mean age of (8.46±4.32) years old and 40 apparently healthy control children with a mean age of (8.63±2.50) years old were involved in the study. Nutritional screening was done to patients by SGNA . Nutritional assessment was done to patients and controls clinically and through investigations (Anthropometrics “WAZ, HAZ, BMIZ , z-TSF and z-MUAC” and body composition analysis “body fat ,fat free mass and muscle mass” ). Nutritional intervention was done, malnourished patients were given 150% of energy requirements for same- age healthy children and adolescents by addition of high caloric supplements 1.5 Kcal/ml to well balanced diet (50% CHO & 20% Protein & 30% fats) . After 3 months, the patients were reassessed both clinically and through investigations e.g.(Anthropometry, Body composition analysis by BIA and Pulmonary function testing by FVC Spirometry).