Target weight gain for moderately wasted children during supplementation interventions--a population-based approach.

OBJECTIVE: In malnourished populations, the weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) distribution is shifted to the left. The aim of nutrition interventions should be to restore a normal WHZ distribution for the whole population. The present paper examines the WHZ change needed by each individual to achieve this objective. DESIGN: We developed a mathematical model of required individual change in WHZ as a function of characteristics of the initial population to restore a normal distribution. This model was then tested by simulating WHZ change needed to restore a normal WHZ distribution in a test population. SETTING: A rural area of Democratic Republic of the Congo with a high prevalence of undernutrition. SUBJECTS: Children under 5 years of age. RESULTS: To restore a normal distribution for the whole population, the WHZ of all children should be shifted. The desired WHZ change of each individual should be higher when the individual's initial WHZ is low, when the mean WHZ of the whole population is low and, for the most wasted individual, when the variance of WHZ and WHZ change in the population are high. Using the suggested model in a simulation on the test population resulted in a WHZ distribution close to the growth standard. CONCLUSIONS: To restore a normal WHZ distribution in wasted populations, nutritional programmes should cover the whole population with a higher weight gain in areas where mean WHZ is low.

Effect of late versus early initiation of parenteral nutrition on weight deterioration during PICU stay: Secondary analysis of the PEPaNIC randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Critically ill children are at increased risk of weight deterioration in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Whether early initiation of parenteral nutrition (PN) prevents weight deterioration is unknown. The aims of this study were to assess the effect of withholding supplemental PN during the first week on weight Z-score change in PICU and to evaluate the association between weight Z-score change in the PICU and clinical outcomes. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of the Paediatric Early versus Late Parenteral Nutrition in Intensive Care Unit (PEPaNIC) randomised controlled trial (N = 1440), which focused on the subgroup of patients with longitudinal weight Z-scores available on admission and on the last day in PICU. Patients were randomly allocated to initiation of supplemental PN after one week (Late-PN) or within 24 h (Early-PN) when enteral nutrition was insufficient. The effect of Late-PN versus Early-PN on the change in weight Z-score was investigated, adjusted for risk factors. Moreover, the association between weight Z-score change and clinical outcomes was explored, adjusted for risk factors. RESULTS: Longitudinal weight Z-scores were available for 470 patients. Enteral nutrition intake was equal in the Early-PN and Late-PN group. Less weight Z-score deterioration during PICU stay was associated with a lower risk of new infections (adjusted OR per Z-score increase 0.72 [0.55-0.96], p = 0.02), and with a higher likelihood of an earlier discharge from PICU alive (adjusted HR per Z-score increase 1.22 [1.10-1.37], p < 0.001). During PICU-stay, the change in weight Z-score did not differ among both groups (Late-PN median 0.00 [-0.34-0.12] vs Early-PN median -0.03 [-0.48-0.01], adjusted ß = 0.10 [-0.05-0.25], p = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: Weight deterioration during the PICU stay was associated with worse clinical outcomes. Withholding supplemental PN during the first week did not aggravate weight Z-score deterioration during PICU stay. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov NCT01536275.

[Impact analysis on the health management programs among community-based 0-36-month-olds on their growth and development].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of implementation on health management programs among the community-based 0-36-month-olds regarding their growth and development. METHODS: 18 Monitoring Bodies in 8 pilot areas were selected to enroll this study, using a multistage stratified cluster sampling method. All the children aged 0 to 36 months were followed, according to the health management specification, and their health archives were collected. RESULTS: A total of 13 464 children were involved in the specified management program with a total of 59 648 person-time under follow-up, with 54.26% of them were boys. Results from the multi-layer linear model indicated that the average height of children in the specified management group was higher than that in the non-standardized management group. Children in the specification management group, their weight gain had also been more effectively controlled. At the same time, with the increasing number of follow-ups according to the specification, the prevalence rates of under weight, stunt, emaciation and overweight were all significantly decreased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The implementation of the community-based programs on 0-36-month-olds regarding their health management specification had improved children's growth and development.

Intelligence quotient and cognitive functions in severe restricting-type anorexia nervosa before and after weight gain.

OBJECTIVE: Restricting-type anorexia nervosa (AN-R), characterized by severe emaciation with long-term food restriction, is often difficult to treat. The present study investigated the overall intelligence quotient (IQ) scores and cognitive functions of patients with AN-R. METHODS: Fourteen female inpatients with AN-R (body mass index 12.84 ± 0.41 kg/m²) and 10 healthy female participants participated in this study from 2007 through 2010. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Third Edition and the Eating Disorder Inventory-II were administered. This research was performed at Kagoshima University Hospital. RESULTS: In the AN-R group, overall IQ scores showed borderline intelligence (e.g., full-scale IQ 75.86 ± 1.79, P < 0.01); the scores were significantly lower than those in the comparison group. There were negative correlations between lower IQs and higher Eating Disorder Inventory-II scores. After the weight restoration, the IQ scores of subjects with AN-R with regard to the visuospatial scales were significantly higher than before (P < 0.01); however, the auditory cognitive scores were unchanged. CONCLUSION: These lower IQ scores could be connected to the psychological and behavioral traits in patients with AN-R. These problems should be considered by medical staff members who seek to treat patients with AN-R successfully.