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BackgroundA collaboration between the University of Michigan (UM) Cystic Fibrosis Center (CFC) and Marmara University (MU) CFC was initiated in MU through conducting Quality Improvement projects (QIP). The global aim was to improve nutritional status of children with CF (cwCF), with a specific aim to increase the mean BMI percentile (BMIp) for cwCF by 10 percentile points in 12 months. MethodsBody mass index (BMI) percentiles of cwCF were categorized as: nutritionally adequate (BMIp >= 50%); at risk (BMIp 25%-49%); urgently at risk (BMIp 10%-25%); critically at risk (BMIp < 10%). Appropriate interventions were made according to BMIp category every three months. Forced expiratory volume in one-second percent predicted (FEV1pp), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were evaluated. ResultsOne hundred and eight-two cwCF with a mean age of 9.1 +/- 4.3 years were included in the project. Baseline BMIp increased from 25.6 to 37.2 at the 12th month (p < 0.001). In the critically at-risk group BMIp increased from 3.6 to 20.5 (p < 0.001), in the urgently at risk group from 15.9 to 30.8 (p < 0.001), in the at risk group from 37.0 to 44.2 (p < 0.079) and in the nutritionally adequate group the increase was from 66.8 to 69.5 (p < 0.301). FEV1pp also improved significantly, from 81.3 +/- 20.6 to 85.9 +/- 20.8 (p < 0.001). Physical functioning, eating problems, and respiratory symptoms domains of the HRQoL evaluation improved (p < 0.05). ConclusionThis project has led to significant improvements in BMIp, FEV1pp and HRQoL of cwCF; similar projects could easily be implemented by centers in other developing countries.

Background: A collaboration between the University of Michigan (U of M) Cystic Fibrosis Center (CFC) and Marmara University (MU) CFC was initiated to improve the health status of people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) at MU through implementing Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives. The main aim was to improve lung function in children with FEV1pp

Solving the world’s health challenges requires multidisciplinary collaborations that bring together the talents, experiences, resources, and ideas from multiple sectors in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) and high -income countries (HIC). Cystic Fibrosis (CF) was thought to be a disease of Caucasian populations from European decent. However, it has been shown to affect people from all ethnic backgrounds. CF care varies significantly for people with CF (pw CF) from HIC with median survival approaching 50 years of age, to LMIC with pw CF dying in infancy or early childhood. To address the discrepancy in quality of care and outcomes, we report on a collaboration between our team at the University of Michigan cystic fibrosis center (UoM CFC), through support from the Middle East CF Association (MECFA) and the CF Foundation (CFF), and a CF center in Turkey (Marmara University CF Center, Istanbul) to address deficiencies and improve quality of care in that center. The collaboration has been successful in improving Ma CFC data and patient care. This partnership can be viewed as a model of collaboration to be duplicated in other Middle East Countries and LMIC to deliver optimal CF care.

The publication of the landmark paper "Defining Pediatric Malnutrition: A Paradigm Shift Toward Etiology-Related Definitions" launched a new era in diagnosing pediatric malnutrition. This work introduced the paradigm shift of etiology-related definitions-nonillness and illness related-and the use of anthropometric z scores to help identify and describe children with malnutrition (undernutrition) in the developed world. Putting the new definition into practice resulted in some interesting observations: (1) Etiology-related definitions result in etiology-related interventions. (2) Illness-related malnutrition cannot always be immediately "fixed." (3) Using z scores in clinical practice often puts the burden of proof on the clinician to show that a child is not malnourished, rather than the other way around. (4) Children with growth failure severe enough to be admitted with "failure to thrive" should always be assessed for malnutrition, and when they meet the criteria, malnutrition should be documented and coded. The publication of the consensus statement came next, announcing the evidence-informed, consensus-derived pediatric malnutrition indicators. Since the indicators are a work in progress, clinicians are encouraged to use them and give feedback through an iterative process. This review attempts to respond to the consensus statement's call to action by thoughtfully appraising the indicators and making recommendations for future review. Coming together as a healthcare community to identify pediatric malnutrition will ensure that this vulnerable population is not overlooked. Outcomes research will validate the indicators and result in new discoveries of effective ways to prevent and treat pediatric malnutrition.

Introduction: Malnutrition is common in hospitalized patients in the United States. In 2010, 80,710 of 6,280,710 hospitalized children 3 times higher than those wi...

Background Malnutrition is a significant problem for hospitalized patients in the United States. Nutrition assessment is an important step in recognizing malnutrition; however, it is not always performed using consistent parameters. Methods A survey among U.S. American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) members was conducted to collect data on nutrition assessment parameters used in hospitals and to establish how facilities use their electronic health record (EHR) to permit data retrieval and outcome reporting. Results The survey was developed by the ASPEN Malnutrition Committee and was sent to 5487 U.S. ASPEN members, with 489 responding for a 9% response rate. Ninety-eight percent of adult and 93% of pediatric respondents indicated a registered dietitian completed the nutrition assessment following a positive nutrition screen. Variables most frequently used among adult respondents included usual body weight, ideal body weight, and body mass index. Among pediatric respondents, weight-for-age and height-for-age percentiles and length/height-for-age percentile were most frequently used. Both adult and pediatric respondents indicated use of physical assessment parameters, including muscle and fat loss and skin assessment. Eighty-seven percent of adult and 77% of pediatric respondents indicated they are using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy) and ASPEN Consensus Malnutrition Characteristics for Adult and Pediatric Malnutrition, respectively. Overall, 97% of respondents indicated nutrition assessment documentation was completed via an EHR. Of all respondents, 61% indicated lack of clinical decision support within their EHR. Conclusion This survey demonstrated significant use of the Academy/ASPEN malnutrition consensus characteristics.

Survivorship after pediatric HCT has increased over the past decade. Focus on long-term care and well-being remains critical due to risk of poor dietary habits and exaggerated sedentary behavior, which can lead to muscle weakness, increased risk for obesity, and cardiometabolic disorders. Nutrition and physical activity are key factors in survivorship; however, data are limited. Comprehensive nutritional assessments, including nutrition-focused physical examination, grip strength, and food/activity surveys, were completed in 36 pediatric HCT survivors (aged 2-25 years). Patients were divided into undernutrition, normal-nutrition, and overnutrition categories. Fifty percent of participants were classified as normal nutrition, 22% undernutrition, and 28% overnutrition. Few patients met the U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommended intake for vegetables, fiber, saturated fat, and So FAS. Patients in the undernutrition group demonstrated significantly lower grip strength than those in the normal- and overnutrition groups. When grip strength was normalized to body mass, patients in the overnutrition group had the highest prevalence of weakness. Using NHANES reference data, maximum grip strength and NGS cutoffs were identified that could significantly distinguish the nutrition groups. Comprehensive nutritional assessments and grip strength measurements are feasible, non-invasive, easy to perform, and inform both under- and overnutrition in pediatric HCT survivors.