Korean Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition  2006;9(1):58-64

A Nutritional Study of Tube-fed Patients with Severe Neurodevelopmental Disability.

Sung Sook CHO 1 ; Su Jung CHOI ; Seung Min SUL ; Sun Mi SHIN

Affiliations

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Keywords

Tube-fed patients; Neurodevelopmental disability; Anthropometry; Nutrition

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the nutritional states and investigate the energy intake of tube-fed patients with severe neurodevelopmental disability. METHODS: Eighty six tube-fed patients with severe neurodevelopmental disability were studied. Heights were measured by flexible scale segmentally. Nutritional parameters of weight, triceps skin- fold thickness and mid-arm circumference were also measured. Total caloric intakes through the tube were calculated. RESULTS: The anthropometric results showed that nutritional states of tube-fed patients with severe neurodevelopmental disability were poor. The mean daily caloric intake was much less than daily energy requirement (mean=45.2% of requirement). The caloric intake was 7.2 kcal/height (cm), 57.0 kcal/weight (kg). Height was more related with caloric intake (r=0.476) than weight (r=0.263). CONCLUSION: These results provide that tube-fed patients with severe neurodevelopmental disability were growth retarded and their energy intakes were much less than daily energy requirements. The preliminary evidence was that they need adequate nutritional supply.