Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Protocol for Relative Hydrodynamic Assessment of Tri-leaflet Polymer Valves
11:12

Protocol for Relative Hydrodynamic Assessment of Tri-leaflet Polymer Valves

Published on: October 17, 2013

14.2K

Risk Factors of Malnutrition in Children with Cystic Fibrosis: A 14-year Retrospective Study from Saudi Arabia

Farah A Albrahim1, Yazan S Said2, Kholoud A Althobaiti2

  • 1Department of Clinical Nutrition, Hepatology and Nutrition, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences
|October 30, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Malnutrition is prevalent in Saudi children with cystic fibrosis (CF). Key risk factors include older age, poor appetite, delayed diagnosis, and fat malabsorption, highlighting the need for early intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Genetic Disorders

Background:

  • Malnutrition is a significant concern for children with cystic fibrosis (CF), affecting growth and lung health.
  • Research on malnutrition risk factors in Saudi Arabian children with CF is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the nutritional status of children with CF in Saudi Arabia.
  • To identify factors associated with malnutrition in this pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of pediatric CF patients (<18 years) from a tertiary hospital in Dammam, Saudi Arabia (Jan 2010 - Jul 2023).
  • Analysis of nutritional status, diagnosis timing, hospital admissions, fat malabsorption, and appetite.

Main Results:

  • 60.4% of 48 included children with CF were malnourished.
  • Malnourished children had delayed diagnosis, higher hospitalizations, uncontrolled fat malabsorption, and poor appetite.
  • Independent risk factors for malnutrition included older age, and fair/poor appetite and intake.

Conclusions:

  • High prevalence of malnutrition observed in Saudi children with CF.
  • Age, poor appetite/intake, delayed diagnosis, and fat malabsorption are significant associated factors.
  • These findings underscore the need for targeted nutritional interventions in pediatric CF care.
Abstract

Keywords:
AppetiteSaudi Arabiachest infectionscystic fibrosisdelayed diagnosisfat malabsorptionmalnutritionrisk factors

More Related Videos

The Slice Culture Method for Following Development of Tooth Germs In Explant Culture07:47

The Slice Culture Method for Following Development of Tooth Germs In Explant Culture

Published on: November 13, 2013

14.6K

Related Concept Videos

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis01:23

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis

Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disorder, significantly affects the function of exocrine glands. This genetically inherited disease is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus, which can severely affect various organs and systems in the body.
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation, but...
Cystic Fibrosis: Management01:24

Cystic Fibrosis: Management

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder that predominantly affects individuals of Northern European descent, occurring at a rate of 1 in 3500. It is caused by a genetic mutation in a gene on chromosome 7, most commonly the ΔF508 mutation, that codes for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. This results in thicker mucus secretions and obstruction pathologies in multiple organs, including the lungs and sinuses.
Sinus disease and chronic sinusitis...
Overview of Protein Metabolism01:21

Overview of Protein Metabolism

Proteins are broken down into amino acids during digestion. Unlike fats and carbohydrates, which are stored for later use, proteins are not. Instead, amino acids are either used to produce ATP through oxidation or contribute to the creation of new proteins for the growth and repair of the body. Any surplus amino acids from the diet are converted into glucose or triglycerides rather than excreted.
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy

Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...