Screening of undernutrition in children with Hirschsprung disease using preoperative anthropometric parameters: A...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• The prevalence of malnutrition in Hirschsprung disease patients is largely unknown.
• Undernutrition is a known factor associated with adverse clinical outcomes in pediatric populations.
• This study focuses on characterizing the nutritional status of Hirschsprung disease patients upon hospital admission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the nutritional status of children diagnosed with Hirschsprung disease.
• To identify factors associated with nutritional risk in these patients.
• To explore the relationship between nutritional status and clinical outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of data from 624 children with Hirschsprung disease across three Chinese pediatric surgery centers (2016-2020).
• Calculation of weight-for-age z scores (WAZ), height-for-age z scores (HAZ), and body mass index-for-age z scores (BAZ) using WHO growth standards.
• Statistical analysis including univariate and multivariate logistic regression to compare nutrition risk and assess associations with clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

• 16.3% of patients exhibited moderate to severe undernutrition.
• Lower WAZ and BAZ scores correlated significantly with longer lengths of aganglionic segments.
• Delayed definitive surgery (≥3 years) was associated with significantly lower HAZ, and low WAZ was an independent risk factor for postoperative Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis.

Conclusions:

• Undernutrition is a prevalent issue among children with Hirschsprung disease.
• Early nutrition assessment is crucial for identifying at-risk individuals and initiating timely interventions.
• Addressing nutritional deficits may improve clinical outcomes and reduce complications like Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis.