Phenotype assessment in neurologically impaired paediatric patients: Impact of a nutrition intervention protocol

Deficits in nutritional status and functional feeding disorders are common in Neurologically Impaired Paediatric Patients (NIPP). Interventions addressing these problems could offer better overall health status and quality of life in this group of patients, but the extent of their effectiveness is yet to be determined. Recent guidelines concerning the nutritional care of NIPP have been published from ESPGHAN but compliance to them has not been assessed.

The study aimed to assess the phenotypic profile of a group of NIPP attending the outpatient clinic of a pediatric department, and to implement, for the first time to our knowledge, an individualized nutritional intervention protocol following ESPGHAN guidelines 2017 as well as to assess the impact on phenotypic parameters and nutritional status.

68NIPP and their caregivers aged 1m-17 years (83.8% suffering from cerebral palsy (CP) were invited to assess their phenotypic parameters and to implement in a nutrition intervention protocol in order to improve their dietary intake and nutritional status. Anthropometry (weight, height, triceps skinfold thickness, mid upper arm circumference) was expressed as z-scores for age and sex using WHO Anthro software and classified following the WHO criteria. Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), Dysphagia Disorder Survey (DDS), Saliva Severity Scale (SSS), gastrointestinal complications, energy and nutrient intake were assessed at the beginning (zero point), after 6 (point 1) and 12 (point 2) months period. Intake to Requirement ratio (I/R) was derived. At zero point, following the baseline evaluation, caregivers were advised and educated on nutrition protocol and customized nutrition plans were handed out. The impact of the nutritional intervention on the phenotypic parameters was recorded on follow up visits (points 1, 2).The primary outcomes analyzed were anthropometric parameters (Waz), as indicators of nutritional status. GMFCS, MACS, DDS, SSS, FA were evaluated as possible predictors of this outcome. Secondary outcomes included the impact of the intervention protocol on the phenotypic parameters during the study period.

Based on weight for age z-score (Waz ≤ -2) (WHO) 17 patients (32.1%) were undernourished, 5/68 (10, 4%) were with triceps skinfold thickness z-score (TSTz) <-2 and 3/68 (7%) with mid upper arm circumference z-score (MUACz) <-2. Z-scores (WHO) for weight (p₁ = 0, 036) (p₂ = 0, 003), body mass index (BMI) (p₂ = 0,000), MUAC (p₁ = 0, 029) and TST (p₁ = 0, 021) (p₃ = 0, 044) were significantly improved in follow-up evaluations compared to the baseline. Less NIPP were found to be underweight according to Waz from point 1 to point 2 (p₃ = 0, 006), as well as stunding according to height for age z-score (Haz) from point 1 to point 2 (p ≤ 0,001). Patients with higher levels of GMFCS (p₁ = 0,040), MACS (p₁ = 0,028) DDS (p₁ = 0,001) and SSS (p₁ = 0,005) had significantly lower Haz. Patients with higher levels of SSS (p₁ = 0,002) had significantly lower TSTz scores. There were no significant changes in the classification of NIPP according to DDS or the patients' feeding ability. The energy (kcals) intake/kg of body weight (bw) was significantly higher at point 2 compared to point zero (p₃ = 0,028), protein intake/kg of body weight was significantly higher at points 1 and 2 compared to point zero (p₁ = 0,026, p₃ = 0,003), and fat intake/kg of body weight (bw) was significantly higher at point 2 compared to point zero (p₃ = 0,012). Intake of energy (kcals)/bw (p₁ = 0,026), (p₂ = 0,046), (p₃ = 0,048) carbs/bw (p₁ = 0,014) (p₂ = 0,042), I/R of pro (p₁ = 0,032), (p₃ = 0,013), and fat/kg (p₂ = 0, 033) (p₃ = 0,037) were found to be significantly lower in higher GMFCS levels. DQI did not improve during the study period nor correlated to any of the anthropometric parameters. Gastrointestinal complications correlated with Waz (r = -, 285 p₁ = 0, 011). Feeding Ability (FA) was found to be the only strong predictor for Waz at baseline evaluation (p = 0,012) when a multiple regression was run along with DDS.

Underweight was detected in one third of the patients, some degree of dysphagia in 69% and gastrointestinal complications in 58.8% of the sample. Height for age z-score (Haz) was the anthropometric parameter most sensitive to the changes in ranking on motor and functional feeding scores. The implementation of a customized nutrition intervention protocol in line with ESPGHAN's guidelines had a beneficial effect on improving dietary intake and nutritional status of NIPP after a 12 months period. Better results could be expected if dysphagia and feeding ability were also addressed by appropriate intervention protocols. Patients' feeding ability is of importance for predicting Waz.