[Evaluation of some anthropometric and clinical parameters in children with cystic fibrosis]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Clinical Research
• Biostatistics

Background:

• Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder affecting multiple organs, particularly the lungs.
• Longitudinal studies are crucial for understanding disease progression and the impact of CF on growth and physical capacity in children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate anthropometric and clinical parameters in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis over a four-year period.
• To compare growth and physiological measures between children with CF and healthy children.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study involving 34 children (ages 6-18) diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.
• Measurements included anthropometry (height, weight, chest circumference), spirometry (FEV1, FVC), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and pulse oximetry.
• Statistical analysis compared CF patients to healthy controls and assessed changes over time.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in body weight dynamics were observed in boys with CF compared to healthy boys (ages 9-14).
• Height dynamics also showed significant differences in girls with CF (ages 12-14) and boys with CF (ages 9-11) versus controls.
• Significant changes in FEV1 and FVC were noted over four years. A significant decrease in oxygen saturation during the 6MWT was observed (mean loss 2.69%).
• A correlation was found between post-test oxygen saturation and chest circumference in girls with CF.

Conclusions:

• Children with cystic fibrosis exhibit altered growth patterns and physiological responses compared to healthy peers.
• Longitudinal monitoring reveals significant changes in lung function and exercise capacity, highlighting the progressive nature of CF.
• These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive, long-term monitoring of anthropometric and clinical parameters in pediatric CF management.