This study evaluated the growth of 51 children with cerebral palsy after the initiation of enteral tube feedings. The children were divided into three groups according to how soon after their central nervous system (CNS) insult they were started on enteral feedings. Group 1 consisted of 14 children who were within a year of their CNS insult; they were underweight for age, but had normal length as well as weight for length. Within 6 months of initiating enteral tube feedings, most children in this group had normalized their weights. Group 2 consisted of 27 children who were within 8 years of their CNS insult; they were stunted and were underweight for both their age and their length. Within 6 months of initiating enteral feeds, the group increased both weight and weight for length to near normal, but their gains in length reached a plateau at 90% of ideal for age. Group 3 consisted of 10 children who were more than 8 years after their CNS insult. This group was severely malnourished but had some improvement in their weight for age and for length but, length for age showed no significant change. We conclude that the earlier adequate nutritional management of children with severe cerebral palsy is initiated, the more readily the nutritional deficits will reverse.
Objective
The human intestine harbors trillions of commensal microbes that live in homeostasis with the host immune system. Changes in the composition and complexity of gut microbial communities are seen in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), indicating disruption in host-microbe interactions. Multiple factors including diet and inflammatory conditions alter the microbial complexity. The goal of this study was to develop an optimized methodology for fecal sample processing and to detect changes in the gut microbiota of patients with Crohn’s disease receiving specialized diets.
Design
Fecal samples were obtained from patients with Crohn’s disease in a pilot diet crossover trial comparing the effects of a specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) versus a low residue diet (LRD) on the composition and complexity of the gut microbiota and resolution of IBD symptoms. The gut microbiota composition was assessed using a high-density DNA microarray PhyloChip.
Results
DNA extraction from fecal samples using a column based method provided consistent results. The complexity of the gut microbiome was lower in IBD patients compared to healthy controls. An increased abundance of Bacteroides fragilis (B. fragilis) was observed in fecal samples from IBD positive patients. The temporal response of gut microbiome to the SCD resulted in an increased microbial diversity while the LRD diet was associated with reduced diversity of the microbial communities.
Conclusion
Changes in the composition and complexity of the gut microbiome were identified in response to specialized carbohydrate diet. The SCD was associated with restructuring of the gut microbial communities.
In HIV+ and HIV- breastfeeding mothers, BIS provides an estimate of body composition comparable to that obtained with the 2H2O method. BMI and MUAC are useful in predicting FM in both groups but are not valid measures of FFM in HIV+ mothers.
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