A comparison of nutrient intake between infants and toddlers with and without cystic fibrosis

Objective: To compare the micronutrient and energy intake of infants and toddlers with cystic fibrosis (CF) to the intake of matched control children and dietary reference index (DRI) levels. Design: A two-group comparison study. Nutrient and energy intakes were measured via 3-day diet diaries. Anthropometric data were collected within 1 week of study enrollment. Subjects/setting: A clinical sample of 35 infants and toddlers with CF (mean=18.6, SD=8.1 months) matched to a community sample of 34 healthy controls. Statistical analyses performed: Children with CF and controls were compared on anthropometric and nutrient data using independent sample t tests. Mean nutrient and energy intake for children in each group were compared with the age-appropriate DRI for targeted nutrients using percentages. Results: Children with CF and controls were similar on measures of growth (height, weight, or weight-for-height percentile). Four children with CF were at or below the 10th percentile for weight-for-height, compared with one control child. Children with CF and controls did not differ on average daily protein, calcium, zinc, and energy intake. Overall, children met or exceeded DRI levels for nutrient intakes. A notable exception was iron, for which mean intakes were lower for control children. Toddlers with CF consumed only 89% of the RDA per day for energy. Applications/conclusions: Infants and toddlers with CF are likely obtaining adequate micronutrient intakes from food. Interventions to increase total energy intake in infants and toddlers with CF are needed. Dietitians may want to focus more on calorie intake and percent calories from fat than on micronutrient intake in their nutrition counseling in young children with CF.