Nutritional status of patients with hemophilia

The nutritional status of 57 patients with hemophilia was studied at the South Texas Comprehensive Hemophilia Center, San Antonio. Dietary and anthropometric analyses were assessed as part of the nutrition evaluation. Calcium and vitamin A were two nutrients whose consumption was most often reported to be below one-half of the RDA. No statistically significant difference in caloric or nutrient intake was found between below-poverty income level groups. Participation in supplemental food programs produced some improvement in dietary intake. Some patients with hemophilia were overweight and some were underweight for their heights. When the weights of patients with hemophilia were compared to standards for age-adjusted ideal, desirable body weight, more than one-half of the subjects 25 years old or older exceeded the weight range for large frame men. Weight control should be emphasized for the patients who lead a sedentary life because of the physical limitations imposed by the complications of hemophilia.