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

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. (Korean J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2006; 9: 58 similar to 64)