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Urinary calcium excretion in enterally fed disabled children
A K Shetty1, J Carlin, M Z Mughal
1Department of Paediatric Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital for Women and Children, Hathersage Road, Manchester M13 0JH, UK.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|June 23, 2001
Summary
In disabled children receiving tube feeding, urine calcium/creatinine (Ca/Cr) ratios decreased with higher calcium intake in immobile children. Mobility status impacts calcium excretion in enterally fed disabled children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Nutritional Science
- Disability Studies
Background:
- Enteral tube feeding is common in disabled children.
- Calcium homeostasis is crucial for bone health and kidney function.
- Immobility can affect calcium metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between dietary calcium intake and urine calcium/creatinine (Ca/Cr) ratio in enterally tube-fed disabled children.
- To determine if mobility status influences this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Urine samples were collected from 17 enterally tube-fed disabled children.
- Urine calcium/creatinine (Ca/Cr) ratio was measured.
- Dietary calcium intake was assessed.
- Children were categorized by mobility status (immobile vs. mobile).
Main Results:
- A significant inverse relationship was observed between urine Ca/Cr ratio and dietary calcium intake in immobile children (r = -0.57, p < 0.05).
- No significant relationship was found in mobile children (r = 0.4, p = 0.51).
- No evidence of nephrocalcinosis or renal calculi was detected via ultrasonography in any subject.
Conclusions:
- Dietary calcium intake influences urine calcium excretion in immobile, enterally tube-fed disabled children.
- Mobility status is a key factor in calcium metabolism regulation in this population.
- Further research is warranted to optimize calcium management in enterally fed disabled children.