Pediatric Malnutrition: Putting the New Definition and Standards Into Practice

Exploring Nutritional Status and Metabolic Imbalances in Children with FASD: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Malnutrition is a significant concern in paediatric populations, particularly among children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). This study aimed to examine macronutrient and micronutrient imbalances and assess the nutritional status of a group of patients with FASD.

METHODS

This study involved an analysis of the serum levels of key nutrients in a group of children diagnosed with FASD. Macronutrients and micronutrients were measured to identify any imbalances, including vitamin D, B12, E, A, albumin, and serum protein, among others.

RESULTS

The study found a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among the patients. Additionally, elevated serum concentrations of micronutrients such as vitamin B12, E, and A were observed in 8%, 7%, and 19% of patients, respectively. Macronutrient imbalances were noted, including high levels of albumin and serum protein, indicating a possible metabolic disturbance. Unexpectedly, high rates of hypercholesterolemia were observed, raising concerns about an increased risk of metabolic syndrome in this population.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the principal issue among patients with FASD is an altered metabolism rather than nutritional deficiencies. Potential causes of these abnormalities could include oxidative stress and changes in body composition. The results underline the need for further research to better understand the unique nutritional challenges in children with FASD and to guide the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.

Dietary habits in Italian children with inflammatory bowel disease: A case-control multicenter study

OBJECTIVES

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) tend to self-modify their dietary habits according to disease activity and symptoms. This study aimed to assess the adequacy of the usual diet in Italian children with IBD in comparison to a control group and to the recommended dietary allowances (RDA).

METHODS

Dietary habits of IBD children and age- and gender-matched healthy controls were investigated using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire in five Italian pediatric IBD centers. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) was assessed using the KID-MED test. Energy (EI), macro, and micronutrients intakes were compared between the two groups, to the RDA and the predicted total energy expenditure (EI/total energy expenditure [TEE]%).

RESULTS

IBD subjects (n = 110) reported a lower EI, EI/RDA%, and EI/TEE% compared to controls (n = 110) (p = 0.012, p < 0.0002, and p = 0.014), lower total protein and fat intakes (p = 0.017, p < 0.0001) and lower minerals/RDA, vitamins/RDA and micronutrients/RDA ratio (%). Poor adherence to the MD was more frequent in IBD children compared to controls (p = 0.013). The total EI and carbohydrate intake were inversely correlated with higher disease activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Italian children with IBD report an inadequate diet in terms of energy, macro, and micronutrients and have a low adherence to a high-quality MD pattern.

Post-discharge complications and hospital readmissions are associated with nutritional risk and malnutrition status in a cohort of Canadian pediatric patients

BACKGROUND

This study constitutes a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort aiming to evaluate the potential correlation between nutritional risk and status at admission with the occurrence of post-discharge complications and hospital readmissions in children receiving care at high resource Centres.

METHODS

Data was collected from 5 Canadian tertiary pediatric Centers between 2012 and 2016. Nutritional risk and status were evaluated at hospital admission with validated tools (STRONGkids and Subjective Global Nutrition Assessment [SGNA]) and anthropometric measurements. Thirty days after discharge, occurrence of post-discharge complications and hospital readmission were documented.

RESULTS

A total of 360 participants were included in the study (median age, 6.1 years; median length of stay, 5 days). Following discharge, 24.1% experienced complications and 19.5% were readmitted to the hospital. The odds of experiencing complications were nearly tripled for participants with a high nutritional risk compared to a low risk (OR = 2.85; 95% CI [1.08-7.54]; P = 0.035) and those whose caregivers reported having a poor compared to a good appetite (OR = 2.96; 95% CI [1.59-5.50]; P < 0.001). According to SGNA, patients identified as malnourished had significantly higher odds of complications (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.15-3.20; P = 0.013) and hospital readmission (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.12-3.39; P = 0.017) than to those well-nourished.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that complications and readmission post-discharge are common, and these are more likely to occur in malnourished children compared to their well-nourished counterparts. Enhancing nutritional care during admission, at discharge and in the community may be an area for future outcome optimization.

Nutritional interventions in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia undergoing antineoplastic treatment: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

A compromised nutritional status jeopardizes a positive prognosis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. In low- and middle-income countries, ~ 50% of children with ALL are malnourished at diagnosis time, and undergoing antineoplastic treatment increases the risk of depleting their nutrient stores. Nutrition interventions are implemented in patients with cancer related malnutrition. We aimed to evaluate the effect of nutrition interventions in children diagnosed with ALL under treatment.

METHODS

Using a predefined protocol, we searched for published or unpublished randomized controlled trials in: Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and SciELO, and conducted complementary searches. Studies where at least 50% of participants had an ALL diagnosis in children ≤ 18 years, active antineoplastic treatment, and a nutrition intervention were included. Study selection and data extraction were conducted independently by three reviewers, and assessment of the risk of bias by two reviewers. Results were synthesized in both tabular format and narratively.

RESULTS

Twenty-five studies (out of 4097 records) satisfied the inclusion requirements. There was a high risk of bias in eighteen studies. Interventions analyzed were classified by compound/food (n = 14), micronutrient (n = 8), and nutritional support (n = 3). Within each group the interventions and components (dose and time) tested were heterogeneous. In relation to our primary outcomes, none of the studies reported fat-free mass as an outcome. Inflammatory and metabolic markers related to nutritional status and anthropometric measurements were reported in many studies but varied greatly across the studies. For our secondary outcomes, fat mass or total body water were not reported as an outcome in any of the studies. However, some different adverse events were reported in some studies.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights the need to conduct high-quality randomized controlled trials for nutrition interventions in children with ALL, based on their limited number and heterogeneous outcomes.

REGISTRATION OF THE REVIEW PROTOCOL

Guzmán-León AE, Lopez-Teros V, Avila-Prado J, Bracamontes-Picos L, Haby MM, Stein K. Protocol for a Systematic Review: Nutritional interventions in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia undergoing an tineoplastic treatment. International prospective register of systematic reviews. 2021; PROSPERO CRD:42,021,266,761 ( https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=266761 ).

Factors Related to the Quality of Life in Children with Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia

Objective: Increased survival rate of patients with Transfusion-dependent Thalassemia (TDT) should be in line with their good quality of life (QoL). The study aimed to analyze the relationship between sociodemographic factors and clinical characteristics with the QoL of children with TDT. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Hasan Sadikin General Hospital from December 2022 to February 2023. A total of 158 eligible subjects aged 5-18 years with TDT were included in the analysis. QoL assessment was performed using child self-report and parent-proxy report questionnaires, along with physical examination findings. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to analyze the data. Results: A total of 158 subjects who met the research criteria were included in the analysis. Of 58.9% of children with TDT had a low adherence rate to iron chelating therapy (ICT). School function had the lowest score in QoL based on child-self report and parent proxy. Gender (p<0,05) and adherence to ICT (p<0,05) were significantly associated with lower quality of life. Conclusion: Female and adherence to ICT were predictors of children with TDT's QoL.

Levels of stunting associated factors among under-five children in Ethiopia: A multi-level ordinal logistic regression analysis

INTRODUCTION

Stunting is a major public health problem affecting more than one-third of under five year's old children in Ethiopia. It has short and long (irreversible) consequences, including stunted growth, never reaching physical and cognitive potential, struggles in school, and increased morbidity and mortality due to infections. Though stunting is the leading cause of child mortality in Ethiopia, evidence is scarce on the prevalence and predictors of stunting among under-five years old children in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence and predictors of stunting severity among under-5 children in Ethiopia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was based on 2019 Mini-Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data. A weighted total sample of 4972 under-five years old children was included in the study. Height measurement was collected for each child. Anthropometric indicator, height-for-age was determined for children using World Health Organization growth standards (Z-scores for Height-for-Age (HAZ)) to asses stunting level. Given the ordinal nature of stunting and the hierarchical nature of EDHS data, a multilevel ordinal logistic regression model was applied. Brant test was used to check the proportional odds assumption, which was satisfied (P-value ≥0.05). Moreover, deviance was used for model comparison. For the multivariable analysis, variables with a p-value ≤0.2 in the bivariable analysis were considered. The Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was reported as associated factor to the severity levels of stunting in the multivariable multilevel proportional odds model.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of stunting among under-5 children in Ethiopia was 35.7% [95% CI: 34.4%, 37.1%]. Of these, 12.1% were severely stunted, and 24.9% were moderately stunted. Being male [AOR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.74, 0.93], children aged 6-23 months [AOR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.84, 3.07], ≥ 24 months [AOR = 4.15, 95% CI: 3.26, 5.28], children whose maternal age 15-24 years [AOR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.58, 0.92], children from the poorest, poorer, middle, and richer household wealth were [AOR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.32, 2.57], [AOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.31], [AOR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.29, 2.44], and [AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.17], children whose maternal educational status of no formal education and primary education had [AOR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.28, 2.82], [AOR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.22, 2.60], Tigray [AOR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.78, 4.86], Afar [AOR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.11, 3.10], Amhara [AOR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.14, 3.14] and Harari [AOR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.20, 3.25]regions, low community maternal education [AOR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.62, 0.92] were significantly associated with stunting severity levelling.

CONCLUSION

Stunting among children under five years of old in Ethiopia remains a major public health issue. Improving access to maternal education is related to appropriate child feeding practices and health, particularly in younger and uneducated mothers. Strengthening the family's wealth status is also recommended to reduce stunting. In addition, it is better to support strategies of preconception care for mothers during pregnancy to reduce stunting in the long term.

Impaired HDL-associated enzymes and proteins in children and adolescents with weight disorders and their association with novel cardiometabolic indexes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Overweight/obesity (OW/OB) is associated with modifications in lipoprotein (Lp)-associated enzymes and proteins, such as cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), Lp-associated phospholipase A2 (LpPLA2) and paraoxonase (PON)1. No evidence is available regarding underweight (UW). The following indexes have been proposed to better assess atherogenic risk related to weight alterations: triglycerides-glucose index (TyG), visceral adiposity index (VAI) and height-corrected lipid accumulation product (HLAP).

AIM

To analyze the presence of alterations in Lp-associated enzymes and proteins in children and adolescents with UW and OW/OB and their relation to novel cardiometabolic indexes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Thirty male children and adolescents with UW, 66 with normal weight (NW) and 30 with OW/OB were included. Anthropometric parameters, glucose, Lp profile and the activities of CETP, LpPLA2 and PON1 were evaluated. Body mass index (BMI)-z, TyG, VAI and HLAP were calculated. UW and NW showed lower CETP activity than OW/OB (Mean ± SD) (218 ± 38vs.224 ± 26vs.237 ± 26%/mL.h; p < 0.05). UW and OW/OB showed lower PON1 activity than NW (318 ± 170vs.409 ± 200vs.310 ± 184 nmol/mL.min; p < 0.05). TyG was higher in OW/OB than UW (p < 0.01), whilst both HLAP (p < 0.05) and VAI (p < 0.01) followed a linear trend across weight categories. After adjusting for age and BMI-z, TyG was an independent predictor of CETP (r2 = 0.25, β = -0.22, p < 0.01) and LpPLA2 (r2 = 0.21,β = -0.21,p < 0.05), while VAI (r2 = 0.21,β = -0.32,p < 0.01) and HLAP (r2 = 0.20,β = -0.31,p < 0.01) of CETP.

CONCLUSIONS

Both UW and OW/OB showed impaired antioxidant PON1 activity. Moreover, TyG, VAI and HLAP were all capable of predicting alterations in crucial modulators of Lp metabolism and vascular inflammation in children and adolescents with varying degrees of alterations in body weight.

The incidence and characterization of weight gain associated with MEK inhibitors in pediatric patients

BACKGROUND

Mitogen-activated protein kinase enzyme (MEK) inhibitors are used in the treatment of pediatric patients with neurofibromatosis, low grade glioma, and astrocytoma, and may demonstrate a unique side effect profile in this population. Inhibition of MEK has been shown to decrease interleukin (IL)-6 production, a proinflammatory cytokine. The inhibition of IL-6 and other proinflammatory cytokines is thought to decrease muscle wasting and may contribute to weight gain. However, there is limited information on the association of MEK inhibition and weight gain in children and adolescents. This study aimed to characterize and define the incidence of significant weight gain associated with MEK inhibitors in pediatric patients.

METHODS

This was a retrospective chart review conducted at a tertiary pediatric hospital. Children 1-18.99 years old were included if they started a MEK inhibitor from July 1, 2013-October 31, 2021, and continued therapy for at least 6 months. Significant weight gain was defined as ≥5% increase in patient's weight-for-age percentile.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven patients were included in the analysis. Sixty-two received trametinib and 5 received selumetinib. An increase in weight-for-age percentile ≥5% was seen in 60% of patients receiving selumetinib and 56% on trametinib. The Dunnett's multiple comparisons test revealed a difference in weight-for-age percentile from baseline to end of data collection (p = .0173). Patients who were obese at baseline were more likely to lose weight during treatment, while underweight patients increased in weight-for-age percentiles.

CONCLUSIONS

Weight gain may be a notable side effect associated with the use of MEK inhibitors in pediatric patients.

A 12-Year-Old Girl with Weight Loss

A 12-Year-Old Girl with Weight LossThis report examines a case of chronic weight loss, anxiety, abdominal pain, and nausea in an adolescent girl. With directed questioning, physical examination, and testing, an illness script for the presentation emerges; the differential is refined until a final diagnosis is made.

Construction of a nutritional assessment tool for the pediatric cancer population (ANPEDCancer): content validation using the Delphi method

Objective:

To develop and establish content validation of a nutritional assessment tool for pediatric cancer patients using the Delphi method.

Methods:

A literature review was performed and the nutritional assessment in pediatrics and cancer construct was discussed with experts. Forty-six nutrition experts from Brazil with experience in oncology participated in the panel. Rounds were held to discuss and judge the items that should be included in this tool. With the aid of an algorithm, it was possible to simultaneously consider the adequacy, relevance and measurement of the items. The consensus was reached with an agreement equal to or greater than 80% among the experts.

Results:

From the 7 domains suggested by the literature, the first round generated 81 items, which were assessed for adequacy, relevance and the possibility of being measured in the routine of nutritional assessment, by specialists in the following two rounds. The percentage of specialists who responded to each round was high (above 90%) and the dropout rate between the stages was relatively low. After applying the algorithm, the ANPEDCancer tool had 36 items considered appropriate by specialists from the five different geographical regions of Brazil.

Conclusions:

The Delphi method allowed the construction and content validation of the nutritional assessment tool for children and adolescents with cancer, providing the first stage for use in the Brazilian hospital setting.

The significance of MUAC z-scores in diagnosing pediatric malnutrition: A scoping review with special emphasis on neurologically disabled children

This review by a panel of pediatric gastroenterology-hepatology-nutrition and pediatric neurology experts aimed to address the significance of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) assessment in diagnosis of pediatric malnutrition. Specifically, the potential utility of recently developed MUAC z-score tape in clinical practice for larger patient populations was addressed including the neurologically disabled children. In accordance with the evidence-based data, four statements were identified by the participating experts on the utility of MUAC z-score tape, including (1) MUAC z-scores correlate with body mass index (BMI) and weight for height/length (WFH/l) z-scores in diagnosing malnutrition; (2) MUAC z-score tape offers a higher sensitivity to diagnose the mild and moderate malnutrition and better ability to track the changes in nutritional status over time than the other single datapoint measurements; (3) Using single-step MUAC z-score tape in children with cerebral palsy (CP) seems to provide more reliable data on anthropometry; and (4) The clinical value of the tool in classifying secondary malnutrition in CP should be investigated in large-scale populations. In conclusion, enabling single-step estimation of nutritional status in a large-scale pediatric population regardless of age and within a wide range of weight, without formal training or the need for ancillary reference charts and calculators, MUAC z-tape offers a favorable tool for easier and earlier diagnosis of pediatric malnutrition. Nonetheless, further implementation of MUAC z-score screening in larger-scale and/or special populations is necessary to justify its utility in relation to other primary anthropometric indicators in diagnosis of malnutrition as well as in treatment monitoring in the community and hospital setting.

Implementation of new indicators of pediatric malnutrition and comparison to previous indicators

Background

Early identification of childhood malnutrition is imperative to improve overall health outcomes, and more importantly, to start early intervention to decrease the risk of future complications. This study aimed to evaluate new malnutrition Z-score growth indicators for detecting pediatric malnutrition and degrees of severity and compare their accuracy with that of growth chart centiles.

Patients and Methods

This retrospective study included 475 pediatric patients from several pediatric nutrition clinics for six months. The participant's weight, height, age, and growth parameters were recorded using both traditional growth charts (centiles) and updated malnutrition indicators (z-scores). The percentage and degree of malnutrition using centiles and Z-scores were compared.

Results

In children aged <2 years, the percentage of malnutrition was 4.7% higher when measured using new malnutrition indicators (weight-for-length Z-score) compared with (weight-for-length centiles). Our results also showed 9.6% higher number of malnourished children >2 years of age when BMI-for-age Z-score was used compared to weight-for-height centiles while there were 15.8% higher malnourished children when BMI-for-age Z-score was compared to BMI-for-age centiles for the same group. We found a significant difference (X² = 202.548, P=<.0001) between the degree of malnutrition in children aged >2 years using BMI-for-age Z-score (normal vs. malnourished) and the degree of malnutrition using BMI centiles (normal vs. malnourished). Approximately 34% of the children classified as normal using centiles were classified as malnourished using Z-scores. Comparing the degrees of Malnutrition, approximately 23% (45 of 196) of children classified as normal based on centiles were classified as having mild malnutrition when Z-scores were used, and 42% (80 of 192) of children who were classified as having mild malnutrition based on centiles were classified as having moderate malnutrition when Z-scores were used.

Conclusions

In our study, a higher percentage of children showed malnutrition when assessed using the Z-score (BMI-for-age for children >2 years/weight-for-length for children <2 years of age) than the centiles growth chart.

Update to the pediatric Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment (SGNA)

Lack of a standardized method of identifying and defining pediatric malnutrition has led to an inability to fully understand the prevalence of and impact that malnutrition has on pediatric patients and the healthcare system. The Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment (SGNA) is an assessment tool meant to determine presence and severity of malnutrition in pediatric populations. However, the anthropometric section of the tool contains some out-dated parameters. This has limited its clinical practicality. The aim of this paper is to propose updates to the anthropometrics section of the SGNA. A retrospective analysis of 153 SGNA's performed on children aged 1 month to 16 years was completed, comparing the original SGNA results to SGNA results incorporating updated anthropometric parameters for percentiles and ideal body weight. The category of length/height for age was updated to include z score cutoffs rather than percentiles, and ideal body weight was updated to z scores for weight for length or body mass index (BMI). Two serial growth questions were updated in wording only, to reflect z score trends. The results of the analysis showed these updates would have changed the rankings of eight patients (5%) for length/height for age, and 20 patients (13%) for ideal body weight to weight for length or BMI. Adjustments to these questions did not impact the overall SGNA rating. This study shows updates to the SGNA are not expected to have a significant impact on the validity of the tool and has the potential to improve its applicability to current day practice.

Clinical Impact of Nutritional Status and Sarcopenia in Pediatric Patients with Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas: A Pilot Retrospective Study (SarcoPed)

BACKGROUND

We evaluated nutritional and sarcopenia status and their clinical impact in pediatric patients affected by bone and soft tissue sarcomas.

METHODS

Body mass index (BMI), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and total psoas muscle area (tPMA) at diagnosis and after 12 months were analyzed. tPMA was measured from single cross-sectional computed tomography (CT) images at L4-L5. Age-specific and sex-specific tPMA Z-scores were retrieved from an online calculator.

RESULTS

A total of 21 patients were identified between February 2013 and December 2018. Twelve patients (57.1%) experienced sarcopenia at diagnosis, although not statistically associated with overall survival (OS) (p = 0.09). BMI Z-score, PNI, and tPMA Z-score significantly decreased between diagnosis and after 12 months of treatment (p < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed significant associations between poor OS and the presence of metastasis (p = 0.008), the absence of surgery (p = 0.005), PNI decrease (p = 0.027), and the reduction in tPMA > 25% (p = 0.042) over the 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia affects more than half of the patients at diagnosis. Decreased PNI during 12 months of treatment has significant predictive value for OS. The role of tPMA derived from CT scan among pediatric patients with sarcoma should be investigated in further prospective and larger studies.

Comparison of three different nutrition screening tools for pediatric inpatients

BACKGROUND

Early detection of children at risk of developing malnutrition during hospitalization prevents the development of complications. This study aims to determine the malnutrition risk of pediatric inpatients by using three different nutrition screening tools and to evaluate the reliability/sensitivity of the screening tools.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 176 children who were 1-16 years of age and were admitted to the pediatrics service of a second-line hospital. Body weight and height were used to evaluate the nutrition status of children. Age- and sex-specific z-score values for height for age (HFA), weight for age (WFA), and body mass index for age (BFA) were indicators of malnutrition. The Screening Tool for Risk of Impaired Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONGkids), Pediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score (PYMS), and Pediatric Nutrition Screening Tool (PNST) were used under the responsibility of pediatricians and dietitians to evaluate the risk of malnutrition in children.

RESULTS

At admission, according to the HFA, BFA, and WFA SD scores (SDSs), the incidence of malnutrition in children was 8.5%, 14.8%, and 6.3%, respectively. Three screening tools determined that WFA SDSs were significantly higher in children without malnutrition risk than in those at risk of malnutrition (P < 0.05). PYMS revealed a relatively higher sensitivity of 90.9% and 84.6% for WFA and BFA, respectively, and PNST revealed a relatively higher sensitivity of 88.9% for HFA.

CONCLUSIONS

PYMS and PNST are suitable for use in malnutrition risk assessment in pediatric inpatients because of the screening tools' high sensitivity.

[Evaluating malnutrition in pediatrics, a current challenge]

Malnutrition in pediatric patients conditions their health/illness. Malnutrition in sick children further aggravates their baseline situation, and conditions their evolution and prognosis. Despite its relevance, it is not evaluated in many cases, nor is there a single definition that facilitates its diagnosis. The objective of this article is to establish the principal aspects to consider when evaluating malnutrition, and to highlight the importance of routine evaluation.

Assessment of nutritional status in children with cancer: Significance of arm anthropometry and serum visceral proteins

BACKGROUND

Arm anthropometry is a better indicator of nutritional status in children with cancer. The value of serum albumin and prealbumin in nutritional assesment is debatable. We investigated the nutritional status of children with cancer and their serum albumin and prealbumin levels.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

At diagnosis and following induction therapies, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and triceps skin-fold thickness (TSFT) were measured; serum albumin and prealbumin levels were determined. Prevalences of malnutrition defined by anthropometric indices were calculated. Correlations of anthropometric indices with each other, with serum albumin/prealbumin levels, and clinicopathological parameters were analyzed.

RESULTS

In 81 patients, median age was 7.5 years (males/females = 50/31), tumors were located mostly in the abdomen, and abdominal tumors were more common under 5 years. Prevalence of malnutrition according to weight for age, BMI, MUAC, TSFT z scores were 14.8%, 23.5%, 27.2%, 21%, respectively. Defined by combined BMI/MUAC/TSFT measurements, 33/81 cases (40.7%) had malnutrition (z scores < -1, 23 mild; z scores < -2, 10 moderate). Malnutrition was more prevalent under 5 years (P = .03), also in abdominal tumors (P = .03) and advanced disease (P < .001). Younger age and advanced disease were risk factors for malnutrition. At diagnosis, prevalences of low serum albumin and prealbumin levels were 7.4% and 54%, respectively. Cases with malnutrition had significantly lower survival rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Nutritional status is assessed best by MUAC and TSFT measurements. Serum prealbumin levels can be used to identify patients at risk of undernutrition. Presence of malnutrition is a significant poor prognostic factor. All children with cancer should undergo nutritional evaluation and active nutritional support.

Nutrition Evaluation Screening Tool: An Easy to Use Screening Tool for Hospitalised Children

PURPOSE

Nutrition screening is vital to ensure patients are appropriately managed in hospital. In paediatrics there is currently no universally accepted nutrition screening tool. The Nutrition Evaluation Screening Tool (NEST) was developed as an easy to use and practical screening tool for hospitalised children. We aim to evaluate compliance of the NEST and assess agreement of the NEST with the already validated nutrition screening tools, Screening Tool for Risk on Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONGkids), Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Paediatrics (STAMP) and the Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment (SGNA) tool.

METHODS

Retrospective review of 102 patient episodes at the Evelina London Children's Hospital. Electronic records were used to assess NEST compliance and to complete the nutrition tools for each patient episode. Cohen's kappa was used to determine the level of agreement between each nutrition tool.

RESULTS

There was moderate agreement between the NEST and the two screening tools, STRONGkids (κ=0.472) and STAMP (κ=0.416) for patients on initial screening at admission. 87.2% of patient episodes were NEST compliant within 24 hours of admission to hospital.

CONCLUSION

The moderate agreement between these two already validated screening tools enhances the NEST's validity as a paediatric screening tool. The NEST had the strongest correlation with the SGNA tool compared to other screening tools. The NEST is user friendly screening tool for hospitalised children.

Use of standardized body composition measurements and malnutrition screening tools to detect malnutrition risk and predict clinical outcomes in children with chronic conditions

BACKGROUND

Better tools are needed to diagnose and identify children at risk of clinical malnutrition.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to compare body composition (BC) and malnutrition screening tools (MSTs) for detecting malnutrition on admission; and examine their ability to predict adverse clinical outcomes [increased length of stay (LOS) and complications] in complex pediatric patients.

METHODS

This was a prospective study in children 5-18 y old admitted to a tertiary pediatric hospital (n = 152). MSTs [Pediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score (PYMS), Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Pediatrics (STAMP), and Screening Tool for Risk of Impaired Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONGkids)] were completed on admission. Weight, height, and BC [fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM) by DXA] were measured (n = 118). Anthropometry/BC and MSTs were compared with each other and with clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Subjects were significantly shorter with low LM compared to reference data. Depending on the diagnostic criteria used, 3%-17% were classified as malnourished. Agreement between BC/anthropometric parameters and MSTs was poor. STAMP and STRONGkids identified children with low weight, LM, and height. PYMS, and to a lesser degree STRONGkids, identified children with increased LOS, as did LM compared with weight or height. Patients with complications had lower mean ± SD LM SD scores (-1.38 ± 1.03 compared with -0.74 ± 1.40, P < 0.05). In multivariable models, PYMS high risk and low LM were independent predictors of increased LOS (OR: 3.76; 95% CI: 1.36, 10.35 and OR: 3.69; 95% CI: 1.24, 10.98, respectively). BMI did not predict increased LOS or complications.

CONCLUSIONS

LM appears better than weight and height for predicting adverse clinical outcomes in this population. BMI was a poor diagnostic parameter. MSTs performed differently in associations to BC/anthropometry and clinical outcomes. PYMS and LM provided complementary information regarding LOS. Studies on specific patient populations may further clarify the use of these tools and measurements.

Incidence of and factors associated with acute kidney injury after scoliosis surgery in pediatric patients

PURPOSE

We sought to identify the national incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with pediatric posterior spinal fusion (PSF) surgery for scoliosis, and to determine factors that increase risk.

METHODS

The 1998-2014 National Inpatient Sample (NIS), a large United States hospital discharge database, was queried for discharges aged 0-17 years with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes for scoliosis undergoing PSF for the outcome of AKI. Discharges were divided into those with AKI and unaffected. We fit adjusted logistic regression models to yield point estimates, odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and p values for the weighted, national population sample with postulated risk factors. The fit of the multivariable regression model was tested using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, and collinearity using the variance inflation factor.

RESULTS

The NIS contained 103,270 weighted discharges meeting inclusion criteria. AKI incidence was 0.1%. Multivariable logistic regression model showed significantly increased odds ratios with thrombocytopenia, rhabdomyolysis, chronic kidney disease, abnormal coagulation, and male sex. AKI increased both hospital stay and cost by threefold compared to unaffected children.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that AKI after pediatric PSF is rare. It is associated with abnormal coagulation, chronic kidney disease, and rhabdomyolysis, but not with the number of vertebral levels fused. Female sex appears to be protective. The retrospective nature of study and reliance on ICD-9-CM codes may under-represent the incidence of AKI in pediatric PSF patients.

General practitioners' practices for malnutrition screening in paediatric populations: a survey in one French department

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition remains a public health problem in Europe, not only in adults, but also in paediatrics. The aim of this study was to evaluate general practitioners (GPs) practices in paediatric malnutrition screening.

METHODS

An anonymised questionnaire was sent to GPs in one French area. We analysed GPs' data: sociodemographic, knowledge of malnutrition screening, practices, tools, and trainings.

RESULTS

Overall, 102 of 174 GPs replied to the questionnaire (58.6%). 79.4% of GPs routinely measured weight, but only 33.3% measured both height and BMI, despite having tools (98,6%). 43.6% of GPs systematically reviewed growth charts. 71.3% were familiar with dietary recommendations, 30.7% with blood tests for nutritional status assessment, and 13.7% with dietary supplements. GPs who routinely measured BMI reviewed significantly more growth charts (p = 0.001) and prescribed more dietary supplements (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

GPs do not sufficiently measure children's height and BMI, despite the increasing availability of software. Failure to analyse growth charts can induce delays in malnutrition screening.

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of three screening tools (PYMS, STAMP, and STRONG-kids) in hospitalized children

BACKGROUND

There are different malnutrition screening tools developed in the English language, but limited data available on the validity of their versions translated into other languages. The aim of this study is to construct a Turkish version of PYMS, STRONG-kids, and STAMP and to determine their validity and reliability in a pediatric population.

METHODS

The present study was conducted at two stages. First, the process of translating PYMS, STRONG-kids, and STAMP into the Turkish language was performed. In the second stage, the validity and reliability were evaluated in the new version of the tools. The anthropometric assessment was used as the reference standard in evaluating the validity of criteria. The reliability was observed through inter-rater and intra-rater agreement.

RESULTS

202 children in total were involved in the present study, 42 of whom took part in the reliability phase. The inter-rater agreement between one dietitian and one nurse was kappa (κ) = 0.955 (95% CI 0.904-1.000) for PYMS, 0.901 (95% CI 0.828-0.974) for STRONG-kids, and 0.963 (95% CI 0.912-1.000) for STAMP (almost perfect agreement). Sensitivity of the PYMS, STRONG-kids, and STAMP were 96.8%, 87.1%, and 77.4%, respectively. Specificity of the PYMS, STRONG-kids, and STAMP was found to be 65.0%, 30%, and 60.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of the three tools were determined to be good. While PYMS was found to be more sensitive in detecting the malnutrition risk when compared to the other tools, STRONG-kids had the lowest specificity according to the agreement between tool results and anthropometric assessment.

Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Pediatrics (STAMP) in the Electronic Health Record: A Validation Study

BACKGROUND

The impact of malnutrition on pediatric patients in the acute care setting is significant. Hospitalized patients with malnutrition have been shown to have poor clinical outcomes. Nutrition screening is the first critical step in identifying and treating malnutrition. Although several pediatric nutrition screening tools exist, none incorporate both electronic health record (EHR) compatibility and the recommended indicators of pediatric malnutrition, a gap recently identified in a systematic review by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The aim of this study was to prove the validity of a new version of Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Pediatrics (STAMP), EHR-STAMP, modified for incorporation into the EHR and inclusion of updated pediatric malnutrition indicators.

METHODS

An interprofessional team modified the existing STAMP for integration into the EHR. Audits were performed by the research dietitian to assess accuracy and provide feedback for continuous improvement of the tool design.

RESULTS

A total of 3553 pediatric inpatients were studied from August 2017 to May 2019. Accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity improved with each modification to the EHR-STAMP. The final version of the EHR-STAMP found 85% accuracy, 89% sensitivity, and 97% specificity, with a positive predictive value of 60% and a negative predictive value of 94%.

CONCLUSION

The EHR-STAMP is a highly reliable tool in the screening of nutrition risk for pediatric hospitalized patients. The tool is easy to use, EHR compatible, and incorporates the current indicators recommended for assessing pediatric malnutrition.

Malnutrition in children with ichthyosis: Recommendations for monitoring from a multidisciplinary clinic experience

BACKGROUND

Short stature has been reported in congenital ichthyoses (CI), but few data exist on patients' nutritional status.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the nutritional status at the first evaluation of children and young adults with CI.

METHODS

Prospective observational study of patients assessed at a multidisciplinary clinic. Clinical variables and ichthyosis severity were collected. Anthropometric assessment was made by measuring weight and height, and nutritional status was classified based on the World Health Organization definitions for malnutrition. Analytical assessment included markers of nutritional status, fat-soluble vitamins, and micronutrients.

RESULTS

We included 50 patients with a median age of 5 years (IQR, 1.6-10.3). Undernutrition was found in 32% of patients, and 75% of the undernourished children presented growth impairment. Younger children and those with severe ichthyoses were the most affected. Micronutrient deficiencies were found in 60% of patients. Deficiencies of selenium (34%), iron (28%), vitamin D (22%), and zinc (4%) were the most frequent findings.

LIMITATIONS

Our small sample includes a heterogeneous group of ichthyoses.

CONCLUSION

Children with CI appear to be at risk of undernutrition, especially at younger ages. Nutritional deficiencies are common and should be monitored. Growth failure in children with ichthyosis could be caused by undernutrition and aggravated by nutritional deficiencies.

Malnutrition Risk in Hospitalized Children: A Descriptive Study of Malnutrition-Related Characteristics and Development of a Pilot Pediatric Risk-Assessment Tool

BACKGROUND

Underrecognition of pediatric malnutrition may affect nutrition interventions and outcomes. Pediatric malnutrition uses more specific etiology-based criteria but lacks clarity in implementation guidelines. Study goals were to identify malnutrition and risk among hospitalized patients, characterize malnutrition risk factors, and assess reliability of criteria against outcome measures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All children 44 weeks postmenstrual age-18 years, admitted for 48 hours during a 16-day period, were included (n = 528). Trained dietitians assessed patients in physical assessments (PA), growth, energy intake, increased nutrient losses (IL), altered absorption of nutrients (AA), hypermetabolism and inflammation, laboratory information, micronutrient deficiency, and functional status. Outcome data assessed were length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) LOS, ventilation days, nutrition support, and dietitian intervention.

RESULTS

Malnutrition prevalence upon admission was 19.7%. Weight/length or BMI/age z-score (ZS) had no effect on LOS. AA and IL upon admission were independently associated with malnutrition (both, P<.01). Wasting and hypermetabolism were independently associated with longer LOS (P<.01). Other factors associated with longer LOS included IL and inflammation (P < .05). Those with hypermetabolism had significant ZS improvements if followed by a dietitian (P < .05). Wasting via PA was the only factor associated with longer ICU LOS (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Identification of risk factors (wasting, hypermetabolism, AA, IL) beyond anthropometrics to define malnutrition and risk is important in prioritizing care in a tertiary pediatric facility. Of great significance is the ability of dietitian-based PA to predict LOS and need for intervention.

Screening tools for paediatric malnutrition: are we there yet?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The development of nutritional screening tools has done much to raise the profile of nutrition and encourage healthcare practitioners to consider how to identify children at nutritional risk. However, the next challenge is to ensure nutritional screening accurately identifies those who have immediate and ongoing risk and therefore the potential to impact on it.

RECENT FINDINGS

In this article, we review recent evidence which suggests that the large-scale use of these tools outside of a research setting is not always helpful. Most are highly sensitive but not particularly specific and therefore cases may be 'overdiagnosed' but also missed. It may therefore be time for nutritional screening to evolve into a process which is able to better consider the cause of risk and requirements for nutrition support with referral criteria, defined goals and outcome measures and exit criteria using a 'measure, plot, think, act' approach embedded into physician rounds. Key challenges relate to improving compliance around nutritional screening within the hospital setting and comparison of nutrition risk between centres, as well as an understanding of the barriers which prevent nutritional screening and assessment from occurring.

SUMMARY

It remains to be elucidated as to whether returning to a process which embeds nutritional assessment within the medical review rather than relying on a 'nutrition score' from a screening tool is a more effective way in which to identifying those patients that are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition during their hospital stay.

Proposal for An Algorithm for Screening for Undernutrition in Hospitalized Children

The prevalence of disease-related undernutrition in hospitalized children has not decreased significantly in the last decades in Europe. A recent large multicentric European study reported a percentage of underweight children ranging across countries from 4.0% to 9.3%. Nutritional screening has been put forward as a strategy to detect and prevent undernutrition in hospitalized children. It allows timely implementation of adequate nutritional support and prevents further nutritional deterioration of hospitalized children. In this article, a hands-on practical guideline for the implementation of a nutritional care program in hospitalized children is provided. The difference between nutritional status (anthropometry with or without additional technical investigations) at admission and nutritional risk (the risk of the need for a nutritional intervention or the risk for nutritional deterioration during hospital stay) is the focus of this article. Based on the quality control circle principle of Deming, a nutritional care algorithm, with detailed instructions specific for the pediatric population was developed and implementation in daily practice is proposed. Further research is required to prove the applicability and the merit of this algorithm. It can, however, serve as a basis to provide European or even wider guidelines.

Screening and assessment tools for pediatric malnutrition

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The ideal measures for screening and assessing undernutrition in children remain a point of discussion in literature. This review aims to provide an overview of recent advances in the nutritional screening and assessment methods in children.

RECENT FINDINGS

This review focuses on two major topics that emerged in literature since 2015: the practical endorsement of the new definition for pediatric undernutrition, with a focus on anthropometric measurements and the search for a consensus on pediatric nutritional screening tools in different settings.

SUMMARY

Few analytical tools exist for the assessment of the nutritional status in children. The subjective global nutritional assessment has been validated by anthropometric as well as clinical outcome parameters. Nutritional screening can help in selecting patients that benefit the most from a full nutritional assessment. Two new screening tools have been developed for use in a general (mixed) hospital population, and one for a population of children with cancer. The value of screening tools in different disease-specific and outpatient pediatric populations remains to be proven.