Scientific Reports (Feb 2024)

Trajectories of resting energy expenditure and performance of predictive equations in children hospitalized with an acute illness and malnutrition: a longitudinal study

  • Farzana Afroze,
  • Farnaz Khoshnevisan,
  • Philliness Prisca Harawa,
  • Zahidul Islam,
  • Celine Bourdon,
  • Stanley Khoswe,
  • Munirul Islam,
  • Shafiqul Alam Sarker,
  • Farhana Islam,
  • Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayeem Bin Shahid,
  • Koen Joosten,
  • Jessie M. Hulst,
  • Chisomo Eneya,
  • Judd L. Walson,
  • James A. Berkley,
  • Isabel Potani,
  • Wieger Voskuijl,
  • Tahmeed Ahmed,
  • Mohammod Jobayer Chisti,
  • Robert H. J. Bandsma

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-53791-w
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 1
pp. 1 – 13

Abstract

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Abstract There is scarce data on energy expenditure in ill children with different degrees of malnutrition. This study aimed to determine resting energy expenditure (REE) trajectories in hospitalized malnourished children during and after hospitalization. We followed a cohort of children in Bangladesh and Malawi (2–23 months) with: no wasting (NW); moderate wasting (MW), severe wasting (SW), or edematous malnutrition (EM). REE was measured by indirect calorimetry at admission, discharge, 14-and-45-days post-discharge. 125 children (NW, n = 23; MW, n = 29; SW, n = 51; EM, n = 22), median age 9 (IQR 6, 14) months, provided 401 REE measurements. At admission, the REE of children with NW and MW was 67 (95% CI [58, 75]) and 70 (95% CI [63, 76]) kcal/kg/day, respectively, while REE in children with SW was higher, 79 kcal/kg/day (95% CI [74, 84], p = 0.018), than NW. REE in these groups was stable over time. In children with EM, REE increased from admission to discharge (65 kcal/kg/day, 95% CI [56, 73]) to 79 (95% CI [72, 86], p = 0.0014) and was stable hereafter. Predictive equations underestimated REE in 92% of participants at all time points. Recommended feeding targets during the acute phase of illness in severely malnourished children exceeded REE. Acutely ill malnourished children are at risk of being overfed when implementing current international guidelines.