Dietary intake of healthy children with cystic fibrosis compared with normal control children.

Because a low calorie intake may result in growth failure and malnutrition in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), the dietary and energy intakes of 22 children with CF who had mild lung disease and excellent Shwachman scores were examined and compared with those of 23 normal control subjects similar in age (5 to 10 years), gender, and weight. The children with CF consumed significantly more calories than the control subjects. Calorie intake was 111 +/- 19.9% (mean +/- SD) of estimated requirements (World Health Organization recommendations) for the CF group and 97 +/- 18.7% for the control group (P = .014). Calories consumed per kilogram of body weight were 117% of World Health Organization (CF) vs 97% (control) (P = .009). Calorie intake compared to the 1989 Recommended Dietary Allowance was 106 +/- 20.6% for the CF group vs 93 +/- 19.1% for the control group. Fat consumed as a percent of total calories was similar: 33.5% (CF) vs 32.2% (control). All children with CF had pancreatic insufficiency and, on average, consumed a large number of pancreatic enzyme supplements, resulting in dietary fat absorption of 86 +/- 12%. It is concluded that these children with CF were able to maintain normal growth and energy stores on a diet that was relatively high in calories compared to control subjects and moderate in percent fat, along with an aggressive pancreatic enzyme supplement regimen.