LONGITUDINAL, PROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF DIETARY-INTAKE IN CHILDREN WITHCYSTIC-FIBROSIS

Objectives: Prospective, 3-year longitudinal dietary intakes of 25 pre pubertal, pancreatic-insufficient children with cystic fibrosis (CF) a nd mild lung disease, and the intakes of 26 control children were comp ared, and relationships among energy intake, nutritional status, and p ulmonary function were determined. Study design: Intakes from 3-day we ighed food records were compared with CF recommendations, recommended dietary allowances (RDA), and the recommendations of the Third Nationa l Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Energy and nut rient intakes were analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: Children with CF consumed more energy than control children (p = 0.025) in terms of calories per day, percentage of RDA by age and by age and weight, energy adjusted for fat malabsorption, and percent age of NHANES III recommendations, Energy intake was similar between b oys and girls with CF, The percentage of energy from fat was greater ( p = 0.0004) in the CF group (3-year mean, 33%) than in the control gro up. Height and weight z scores declined in the CF group (p < 0.05) wit h time, Vitamin and mineral intakes were generally adequate in the CF group. Conclusions: The children in this sample did not consume the CF recommended intakes of 120% RDA for energy or a high-fat (40% of ener gy) diet. Energy intakes may be insufficient in this group to meet req uirements for optimal growth.