• Nutrition · Feb 2018

    Long-term nutritional and gastrointestinal aspects in patients with ataxia telangiectasia.

    • Alexander Krauthammer, Avishay Lahad, Yifat Sarouk, Raz Somech, Andreea Nissenkorn, Dalit Modan-Moses, Hila Levi-Kidron, Tal Sadeh-Kon, and Batia Weiss.
    • Department of Pediatrics, and Immunology, The Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Faculty of Hospital, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
    • Nutrition. 2018 Feb 1; 46: 48-52.

    ObjectiveAtaxia telangiectasia (A-T) is a rare genetic disease involving multiple organs, but, to our knowledge, data on long-term gastrointestinal and nutritional involvement are scarce. The aim of this study was to longitudinally review the nutritional and gastrointestinal aspects of A-T.MethodsThis was a retrospective chart review of patients followed from 1986 to 2015 at one center. Demographic, laboratory, and nutritional data were retrieved. Body mass index (BMI) values were converted to BMI Z-score (BMI-Z). Caloric intake was estimated by food diaries and compared with estimated energy requirements for sex and age with a physical activity level factor for light physical activity.ResultsThe study included 53 patients (28 males [53%], ages 14.6 ± 5.2 y). BMI-Z was inversely correlated with age (r = 0.48; P < 0.004). A decline below minimal BMI percentiles was observed after the age of 4 y in boys and 7 y in girls. The relative percentage of caloric intake decreased with age (r = -0.5; P < 0.002), and was positively correlated with BMI-Z (r = 0.35; P < 0.05). Presence of cough during meals was associated with recurrent lower respiratory tract infections (Fisher exact test, P < 0.01). Gastrostomy tubes were inserted in 12 patients, leading to improvement in BMI-Z from -5.1 ± 2.4 to -4 ± 2.9 (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThere is a progressive growth failure and low nutritional intake with age in patients with A-T, starting in early childhood in males, and more prominent in patients with cough and choking during meals. A proactive approach and insertion of a percutaneous gastrostomy tube as soon as the BMI-Z starts to decrease should be considered.Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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