Updated clinical practice recommendations for managing adults with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

This review aimed to update the clinical practice guidelines for managing adults with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS). The 22q11.2 Society recruited expert clinicians worldwide to revise the original clinical practice guidelines for adults in a stepwise process according to best practices: (1) a systematic literature search (1992-2021), (2) study selection and synthesis by clinical experts from 8 countries, covering 24 subspecialties, and (3) formulation of consensus recommendations based on the literature and further shaped by patient advocate survey results. Of 2441 22q11.2DS-relevant publications initially identified, 2344 received full-text review, with 2318 meeting inclusion criteria (clinical care relevance to 22q11.2DS) including 894 with potential relevance to adults. The evidence base remains limited. Thus multidisciplinary recommendations represent statements of current best practice for this evolving field, informed by the available literature. These recommendations provide guidance for the recognition, evaluation, surveillance, and management of the many emerging and chronic 22q11.2DS-associated multisystem morbidities relevant to adults. The recommendations also address key genetic counseling and psychosocial considerations for the increasing numbers of adults with this complex condition.

Updated clinical practice recommendations for managing children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

This review aimed to update the clinical practice guidelines for managing children and adolescents with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS). The 22q11.2 Society, the international scientific organization studying chromosome 22q11.2 differences and related conditions, recruited expert clinicians worldwide to revise the original 2011 pediatric clinical practice guidelines in a stepwise process: (1) a systematic literature search (1992-2021), (2) study selection and data extraction by clinical experts from 9 different countries, covering 24 subspecialties, and (3) creation of a draft consensus document based on the literature and expert opinion, which was further shaped by survey results from family support organizations regarding perceived needs. Of 2441 22q11.2DS-relevant publications initially identified, 2344 received full-text reviews, including 1545 meeting criteria for potential relevance to clinical care of children and adolescents. Informed by the available literature, recommendations were formulated. Given evidence base limitations, multidisciplinary recommendations represent consensus statements of good practice for this evolving field. These recommendations provide contemporary guidance for evaluation, surveillance, and management of the many 22q11.2DS-associated physical, cognitive, behavioral, and psychiatric morbidities while addressing important genetic counseling and psychosocial issues.

Gastrointestinal Features of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome Include Chronic Motility Problems From Childhood to Adulthood.

OBJECTIVES: 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is the most common chromosomal microdeletion syndrome and has a multisystemic presentation including gastrointestinal features that have not yet been fully described. Our aim was to examine lifetime gastrointestinal problems in a large cohort of patients with 22q11.2DS. METHODS: All patients followed in the 22q and You Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (n = 1421) were retrospectively screened for: 1) age ≥ 17 years, 2) documented chromosomal microdeletion within the 22q11.2 LCR22A-LCR22D region, and 3) sufficient clinical data to characterize the adult gastrointestinal phenotype. Gastrointestinal problems in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood were summarized. Statistical association testing of symptoms against other patient characteristics was performed. RESULTS: Included patients (n = 206; 46% female; mean age, 27 years; median follow-up, 21 years) had similar clinical characteristics to the overall cohort. Genetic distribution was also similar, with 96% having deletions including the critical LCR22A-LCR22B segment (95% in the overall cohort). Most patients experienced chronic gastrointestinal symptoms in their lifetime (91%), but congenital gastrointestinal malformations (3.5%) and gastrointestinal autoimmune diseases (1.5%) were uncommon. Chronic symptoms without anatomic or pathologic abnormalities represented the vast burden of illness. Chronic symptoms in adulthood are associated with other chronic gastrointestinal symptoms and psychiatric comorbidities ( P < 0.01) but not with deletion size or physiologic comorbidities ( P > 0.05). One exception was increased nausea/vomiting in hypothyroidism ( P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are a common cause of ill health in children and adults with 22q11.2DS. Providers should consider screening for the deletion in patients presenting with FGIDs and associated comorbidities such as neuropsychiatric illness, congenital heart disease, and palatal abnormalities.

Standardized Feeding Approach Mitigates Weight Loss in Infants with Congenital Heart Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a standardized feeding approach using a clinical nutrition pathway on weight-for-age Z score (WAZ) over hospital length of stay (HLOS) for infants with congenital heart disease (CHD). STUDY DESIGN: A 10-year retrospective cohort study examined eligible infants who underwent neonatal cardiac surgery between July 2009 and December 2018 (n = 987). Eligibility criteria included infants born at least 37 weeks of gestation and a minimum birth weight of 2 kg who underwent cardiac surgery for CHD within the first 30 days of life. Using the best linear unbiased predictions from a linear mixed effects model, WAZ change over HLOS was estimated before and after January 2013, when the standardized feeding approach was initiated. The best linear unbiased predictions model included adjustment for patient characteristics including sex, race, HLOS, and class of cardiac defect. RESULTS: The change in WAZ over HLOS was significantly higher from 2013 to 2018 than from 2009 to 2012 (ß = 0.16; SE = 0.02; P < .001), after controlling for sex, race, HLOS, and CHD category, indicating that infants experienced a decreased WAZ loss over HLOS after the standardized feeding approach was initiated. Additionally, differences were found in WAZ loss over HLOS between infants with single ventricle CHD (ß = 0.26; SE = 0.04; P < .001) and 2 ventricle CHD (ß = 0.04; SE = 0.02; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that an organized, focused approach for nutrition therapy using a standardized pathway improves weight change outcomes before hospital discharge for infants with single and 2 ventricle CHD who require neonatal cardiac surgery.

Diabetes Mellitus in Children with Acute Recurrent and Chronic Pancreatitis: Data From the INternational Study Group of Pediatric Pancreatitis: In Search for a CuRE Cohort.

OBJECTIVES: Adults with chronic pancreatitis (CP) have a high risk for developing pancreatogenic diabetes mellitus (DM), but little is known regarding potential risk factors for DM in children with acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) or CP. We compared demographic and clinical features of children with ARP or CP, with and without DM, in the INternational Study Group of Pediatric Pancreatitis: In Search for a CuRE (INSPPIRE) registry. METHODS: We reviewed the INSPPIRE database for the presence or absence of physician-diagnosed DM in 397 children, excluding those with total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation, enrolled from August 2012 to August 2017. Patient demographics, BMI percentile, age at disease onset, disease risk factors, disease burden, and treatments were compared between children with DM (n = 24) and without DM (n = 373). RESULTS: Twenty-four children (6% of the cohort) had a diagnosis of DM. Five of 13 tested were positive for beta cell autoantibodies. The DM group was 4.2 years [95% confidence interval (CI) 3-5.4] older at first episode of acute pancreatitis, and tended to more often have hypertriglyceridemia [odds ratio (OR) 5.21 (1.33-17.05)], coexisting autoimmune disease [OR 3.94 (0.88-13.65)] or pancreatic atrophy [OR 3.64 (1.13, 11.59)]. CONCLUSION: Pancreatic atrophy may be more common among children with DM, suggesting more advanced exocrine disease. However, data in this exploratory cohort also suggest increased autoimmunity and hypertriglyceridemia in children with DM, suggesting that risk factors for type 1 and type 2 DM, respectively may play a role in mediating DM development in children with pancreatitis.

What is new with 22q? An update from the 22q and You Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is a disorder caused by recurrent, chromosome-specific, low copy repeat (LCR)-mediated copy-number losses of chromosome 22q11. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has been involved in the clinical care of individuals with what is now known as 22q11.2DS since our initial report of the association with DiGeorge syndrome in 1982. We reviewed the medical records on our continuously growing longitudinal cohort of 1,421 patients with molecularly confirmed 22q11.2DS from 1992 to 2018. Most individuals are Caucasian and older than 8 years. The mean age at diagnosis was 3.9 years. The majority of patients (85%) had typical LCR22A-LCR22D deletions, and only 7% of these typical deletions were inherited from a parent harboring the deletion constitutionally. However, 6% of individuals harbored other nested deletions that would not be identified by traditional 22q11.2 FISH, thus requiring an orthogonal technology to diagnose. Major medical problems included immune dysfunction or allergies (77%), palatal abnormalities (67%), congenital heart disease (64%), gastrointestinal difficulties (65%), endocrine dysfunction (>50%), scoliosis (50%), renal anomalies (16%), and airway abnormalities. Median full-scale intelligence quotient was 76, with no significant difference between individuals with and without congenital heart disease or hypocalcemia. Characteristic dysmorphic facial features were present in most individuals, but dermatoglyphic patterns of our cohort are similar to normal controls. This is the largest longitudinal study of patients with 22q11.2DS, helping to further describe the condition and aid in diagnosis and management. Further surveillance will likely elucidate additional clinically relevant findings as they age.

Effect of Oral Lipid Matrix Supplement on Fat Absorption in Cystic Fibrosis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Pancreatic enzyme therapy does not normalize dietary fat absorption in patients with cystic fibrosis and pancreatic insufficiency. Efficacy of LYM-X-SORB (LXS), an easily absorbable lipid matrix that enhances fat absorption, was evaluated in a 12-month randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with plasma fatty acids (FA) and coefficient of fat absorption (CFA) outcomes. A total of 110 subjects (age 10.4 ±â€Š3.0 years) were randomized. Total FA increased with LXS at 3 and 12 months (+1.58, +1.14 mmol/L) and not with placebo (P = 0.046). With LXS, linoleic acid (LA) increased at 3 and 12 months (+298, +175 nmol/mL, P ≤ 0.046), with a 6% increase in CFA (P < 0.01). LA increase was significant in LXS versus placebo (445 vs 42 nmol/mL, P = 0.038). Increased FA and LA predicted increased body mass index Z scores. In summary, the LXS treatment improved dietary fat absorption compared with placebo as indicated by plasma FA and LA and was associated with better growth status.

Choline Supplementation With a Structured Lipid in Children With Cystic Fibrosis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Choline depletion is seen in cystic fibrosis (CF) and pancreatic insufficiency in spite of enzyme treatment and may result in liver, fatty acid, and muscle abnormalities. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of an easily absorbed choline-rich structured lipid (LYM-X-SORB™ [LXS]) to improve choline status. METHODS: Children with CF and pancreatic insufficiency were randomized to LXS or placebo in a 12-month double blind trial. Dietary choline intake, plasma cholines, plasma and fecal phospholipids, coefficient of fat absorption, pulmonary function, growth status, body composition, and safety measures were assessed. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy for calf muscle choline and liver fat were assessed in a subgroup and compared with a healthy comparison group matched for age, sex, and body size. RESULTS: A total of 110 subjects were enrolled (age 10.4 ±â€Š3.0 years). Baseline dietary choline, 88% recommended, increased 3-fold in the LXS group. Plasma choline, betaine, and dimethylglycine increased in the LXS but not placebo (P = 0.007). Plasma lysophosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylcholine increased, and fecal phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine ratio decreased (P ≤ 0.05) in LXS only, accompanied by a 6% coefficient of fat absorption increase (P = 0.001). Children with CF had higher liver fat than healthy children and depleted calf muscle choline at baseline. Muscle choline concentration increased in LXS and was associated with improvement in plasma choline status. No relevant changes in safety measures were evident. CONCLUSIONS: LXS had improved choline intake, plasma choline status, and muscle choline stores compared with placebo group. The choline-rich supplement was safe, accepted by participants, and improved choline status in children with CF.

Vitamin B(12) status in children with cystic fibrosis and pancreatic insufficiency.

OBJECTIVES: Unexpectedly high serum B12 concentrations were noted in most study subjects with cystic fibrosis (CF) and pancreatic insufficiency (PI) participating in a nutrition intervention at the baseline evaluation. The objectives of this study were to determine dietary, supplement-based, and enzyme-based B12 intake, serum B12 concentrations, and predictors of vitamin B12 status in children with CF and PI. STUDY DESIGN: Serum B12 status was assessed in subjects (5-18 years) and categorized as elevated (serum B12 above reference range for age and sex [Hi-B12]) or within reference range (serum B12 within reference range for age and sex) for age and sex. Serum homocysteine, plasma B6, red blood cell folate, height, weight, and body mass index z scores, pulmonary function, energy, and dietary and supplement-based vitamin intake were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 106 subjects, mean age 10.4 ±â€Š3.0 years, participated in the study. Median serum B12 was 1083 pg/mL, with 56% in the Hi-B12 group. Dietary and supplement-based B12 intakes were both high representing 376% and 667% recommended dietary allowance (RDA), respectively. The Hi-B12 group had significantly greater supplement-based B12 intake than the serum B12 within reference range for age and sex group (1000% vs 583% RDA, P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that high supplement-based B12 intake and age >12 years increased the risk of Hi-B12, whereas higher forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1) decreased the risk (pseudo-R = 0.18, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum B12 was elevated in the majority of children with CF and PI. Supplement-based B12 intake was 6 to 10 times the RDA, and strongly predicted elevated serum B12 status. The health consequences of lifelong high supplement-based B12 intake and high serum B12 are unknown and require further study, as does the inversed correlation between serum B12 and forced expiratory volume at 1 second.

Delayed small bowel transit in children with cystic fibrosis and pancreatic insufficiency.

OBJECTIVE: Gastrointestinal disturbances are common in people with cystic fibrosis (CF); however, motility studies in this population have yielded inconsistent results. This study examined gastric emptying (GE) and small bowel transit (SBT) time in children with CF and pancreatic insufficiency compared with a healthy adult reference group. METHODS: Participants consumed an 8-ounce liquid test meal (approximately 550 calories, 32 g of fat) labeled with 300 µCi 99m technetium (Tc) sulfur colloid. Subjects with CF received a standard dose of pancreatic enzymes before consuming the test meal. GE and SBT were measured using a standard nuclear medicine scan. GE was determined after correcting for 99mTc decay in both anterior and posterior images. SBT was determined by following the movement of the tracer from the stomach to the cecum. The percentage arrival of total small bowel activity at the terminal ileum and cecum/ascending colon at 6 hours was used as an index of SBT. A 1-way analysis of covariance was performed for comparisons between groups after adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index. RESULTS: Subjects with CF (n = 16) had similar GE compared with the healthy reference group (n = 12); however, subjects with CF had significantly prolonged SBT time. At 6 hours, 37.2% ± 25.4% (95% CI 23.7-50.7) of the tracer reached the terminal ileum and colon compared with 68.6% ± 13.1% (95% CI 60.2-76.9) for the reference group (P < 0.001). After controlling for sex, age, and body mass index, this difference remained statistically significant (F = 12.06, adjusted R = 0.44, P < 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Children with CF and pancreatic insufficiency had unaltered GE but delayed SBT time when taking pancreatic enzymes.

Assessment of nutrition education among pediatric gastroenterologists: a survey of NASPGHAN members.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Pediatric gastroenterology is the only pediatric subspecialty with nutrition as part of its official curriculum and objective; however, pediatric gastroenterology fellows believe that their baseline knowledge in nutrition is suboptimal. The purpose of the present study was to assess the perceived effectiveness of nutrition training among pediatric gastroenterologists, identify areas of need for additional education, and determine the perceived role of the gastroenterologist in obesity management. METHODS: A survey was sent to members and fellows of the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition to assess general nutrition education as well as obesity management and educational needs. RESULTS: A total of 272 responses were received, for an overall response rate of 15.2% (272/1784). Most responders reported having average or above-average knowledge base in all nutritional topics. There was strong interest in additional resources and a continuing medical education (CME) module on several nutrition topics including nutritional requirements in specific gastrointestinal (GI) disease, failure to thrive/growth failure, and parenteral nutrition support, with the format of CME dependent on the topic. There was also a strong interest in additional CME on the management of pediatric obesity (67%), as most responders believed that the management of obesity in children requires subspecialty care. The perceived role of the pediatric gastroenterologist was, however, one of support to treat the GI and hepatic comorbidities of obesity rather than serve as the main provider of comprehensive obesity care. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric gastroenterologists identified gaps in their nutrition knowledge base that may be attributed to the present nutrition education training during fellowship. Multiple topics were identified for additional nutrition education, including obesity management. The nutrition management challenges of today necessitate improved baseline nutrition knowledge and this focus on nutrition should begin at the fellowship level.

Diagnosing malabsorption with systemic lipid profiling: pharmacokinetics of pentadecanoic acid and triheptadecanoic acid following oral administration in healthy subjects and subjects with cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: A Malabsorption Blood Test (MBT) is proposed as an alternative method to the 72-hour stool and dietary collection for assessing the degree of fat malabsorption in people with pancreatic insufficiency. The MBT consists of a simultaneous oral dose of pentadecanoic acid (PA), a free fatty acid, and triheptadecanoic acid (THA), a triglyceride with three heptadecanoic (HA) saturated fatty acids requiring hydrolysis by pancreatic lipase before HA can be intestinally absorbed. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the ability of MBT to detect fat malabsorption in healthy adult subjects using the pancreatic lipase (PL) inhibitor Orlistat (Xenical®), and in subjects with CF and PI while on and off routine pancreatic enzyme doses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MBT with the PA and THA were delivered in a breakfast test meal (2.5 g PA and either 5 g or 8 g THA) to healthy adult subjects (ages 18 - 50 years, BMI 21 - 30) and to subjects with CF (> 12 years, FEV1% predicted > 40%), after a 12-hour fast and 24 hours without dairy foods. Serum levels of PA and HA were assessed by gas-liquid chromatography, from blood samples drawn prior to MBT and then hourly for 8 hours. For healthy subjects, the MBT was administered before and after Orlistat treatment, and in subjects with CF, both with subjects receiving routine pancreatic lipase treatment ("on enzyme") and also "off enzyme" treatment. Treatment groups were compared for baseline (C0) and maximum (Cmax) plasma concentrations of PA and HA over 8 hours: area under the curve (AUC) was calculated using linear trapezoid method. The ratio of HA to PA Cmax and AUC was also calculated and compared. RESULTS: For the healthy subjects (n = 15, 60% female, ages 21 - 49 years), absorption of HA was reduced 71% for Cmax (p < 0.001) and 65% for AUC (p = 0.001) after Orlistat treatment, and absorption of PA was unchanged. For subjects with CF (n = 6, 50% female, ages 13 - 19 years), absorption of HA was minimal with subjects "off enzymes" and increased significantly with subjects "on enzymes" while absorption of PA did not differ between groups. Enzyme administration resulted in increased Cmax HA/ PA ratios from 0.02 to 0.92 and from 0.05 to 0.73 in subjects with CF receiving 5.0 g and 8.0 g of THA, respectively. AUC HA/PA ratios showed similar increases. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot and feasibility proof-of-concept study, the MBT, utilizing the relative absorption of HA to PA, two odd-chained fatty acids, responds to changes in fat absorption in healthy subjects using a lipase inhibitor and in subjects with CF while on or off enzyme therapy. The MBT holds promise to provide a more accurate, specific and acceptable alternative to the 72-hour stool collection to quantify pancreatic-based fat malabsorption in a variety of clinical and research contexts.

Nutrition education for pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition fellows: survey of NASPGHAN fellowship training programs.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the methodology and content of nutrition education during gastroenterology fellowship training and the variability among the different programs. METHODS: A survey questionnaire was completed by 43 fellowship training directors of 62 active programs affiliated to the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, including sites in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The data were examined for patterns in teaching methodology and coverage of specific nutrition topics based on level 1 training in nutrition, which is the minimum requirement according to the published North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition fellowship training guidelines. RESULTS: The majority of the teaching was conducted by MD-degree faculty (61%), and most of the education was provided through clinical care experiences. Only 31% of the level 1 nutrition topics were consistently covered by >80% of programs, and coverage did not correlate with the size of the programs. Competency in nutrition training was primarily assessed through questions to individuals or groups of fellows (77% and 65%, respectively). Program directors cited a lack of faculty interested in nutrition and a high workload as common obstacles for teaching. CONCLUSIONS: The methodology of nutrition education during gastroenterology fellowship training is, for the most part, unstructured and inconsistent among the different programs. The minimum level 1 requirements are not consistently covered. The development of core curriculums and learning modules may be beneficial in improving nutrition education.

Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy in Cystic Fibrosis.

While typically considered a pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis patients develop significant nutritional complications and comorbidities, especially those who are pancreatic insufficient. Clinicians must have a high suspicion for cystic fibrosis among patients with clinical symptoms of pancreatic insufficiency, and pancreatic enzymatic replacement therapy (PERT) must be urgently initiated. PERT presents a myriad of considerations for patients and their supporting dieticians and clinicians, including types of administration, therapy failures, and complications.

Feeding and nutrition in children with medical complexity.

Providing adequate and appropriate nutrition to children with medical complexity (CMC) is often a challenging task. These patients are a diverse group whose varying nutritional needs must be carefully assessed and monitored. Optimal feeding and nutrition strategies in CMC require an individual approach and may include oral, enteral (gastric or jejunal), or parenteral provision of nutrients. Complications of enteral feeding, including those associated with medical devices such as feeding tubes, are common, and provider familiarity with some of the more common complaints is helpful. We provide here a summary of different feeding approaches, with exploration of the rationale for each, as well as discussion of common complications and some practical troubleshooting tips.

DIGEST: Developing innovative gastroenterology specialty training.

Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) now have an increased life expectancy, due to advances in care provided by a multidisciplinary team. The care model has expanded over time to include multiple subspecialties. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation conducted a survey of Care Center Directors and identified a need for pediatric and adult gastroenterologists with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal, pancreatic and hepatic complications of CF. To address this need, the Developing Innovative GastroEnterology Specialty Training (DIGEST) program was created. The development, implementation, and early results of this training program are reported herein.

A scoping review to inform a multi-disciplinary approach for nutrition therapy in critically ill children with pressure injuries.

Nutrition status plays a critical role in pressure injury (PI) healing and yet the available literature, especially in pediatric patients, is limited. Critically ill pediatric patients are at an increased risk of skin integrity compromise and PI development. Adequate nutritional intake can often be challenging to achieve in this population and immobility and illness present additional obstacles to maintaining skin integrity in this vulnerable population. Despite the unique nutritional challenges and needs of this group, there is no standardized approach to macro- and micronutrient management and monitoring. Here, several key vitamins and minerals believed to play a role in PI healing are discussed and an approach to nutritional management and monitoring for PI healing in pediatric patients is proposed. Registered dietitians (RD) are essential to assess individual patient macro and micronutrient requirements, to identify gaps and make recommendations to optimize nutritional therapy that may exist and impact wound healing. We used a scoping review to focus on the interplay of nutrition and PI healing and inform a multidisciplinary approach to PI identification and management. Through this review, we propose a strategy for the nutritional management of pediatric patients <30 kg at risk for and who present with PI.

Improved residual fat malabsorption and growth in children with cystic fibrosis treated with a novel oral structured lipid supplement: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In the primary analysis of a 12-month double-blind randomized active placebo-controlled trial, treatment of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and pancreatic insufficiency (PI) with a readily absorbable structured lipid (Encala™, Envara Health, Wayne, PA) was safe, well-tolerated and improved dietary fat absorption (stool coefficient of fat absorption [CFA]), growth, and plasma fatty acids (FA). OBJECTIVE: To determine if the Encala™ treatment effect varied by severity of baseline fat malabsorption. METHODS: Subjects (n = 66, 10.5±3.0 yrs, 39% female) with baseline CFA who completed a three-month treatment with Encala™ or a calorie and macronutrient-matched placebo were included in this subgroup analysis. Subjects were categorized by median baseline CFA: low CFA (<88%) and high CFA (≥88%). At baseline and 3-month evaluations, CFA (72-hour stool, weighed food record) and height (HAZ), weight (WAZ) and BMI (BMIZ) Z-scores were calculated. Fasting plasma fatty acid (FA) concentrations were also measured. RESULTS: Subjects in the low CFA subgroup had significantly improved CFA (+7.5±7.2%, mean 86.3±6.7, p = 0.002), and reduced stool fat loss (-5.7±7.2 g/24 hours) following three months of EncalaTM treatment. These subjects also had increased plasma linoleic acid (+20%), α-linolenic acid (+56%), and total FA (+20%) (p≤0.005 for all) concentrations and improvements in HAZ (0.06±0.08), WAZ (0.17±0.16), and BMIZ (0.20±0.25) (p≤0.002 for all). CFA and FA were unchanged with placebo in the low CFA group, with some WAZ increases (0.14±0.24, p = 0.02). High CFA subjects (both placebo and Encala™ groups) had improvements in WAZ and some FA. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with CF, PI and more severe fat malabsorption experienced greater improvements in CFA, FA and growth after three months of Encala™ treatment. Encala™ was safe, well-tolerated and efficacious in patients with CF and PI with residual fat malabsorption and improved dietary energy absorption, weight gain and FA status in this at-risk group.