Clinical study results for efficacy of using hydrolyzed milk protein formulas in children with cystic fibrosis

Objective. To study the clinical efficacy of hydrolyzed milk protein formulas “Peptamen Junior” and “Peptamen” (Nestlé, Switzerland) in nutrition therapy for children with cystic fibrosis. Patients and methods. Forty patients with cystic fibrosis aged from 1 year to 17 years 11 months who underwent treatment and rehabilitation at the pulmonology department of the National Medical Research Center for Children’s Health from October 2020 to August 2021 were examined. Patients were divided into two equal groups, each receiving one product. During dynamic observation, the patients’ general condition, nutritional status, including anthropometry, caliperometry, and bioimpedanceometry in older children, as well as biochemical parameters (albumin, prealbumin, transferrin, total protein, glucose), the biological and nutritional value of the diet were evaluated. Results. There was a significant improvement in the physical development of children, in some of whom the reduction of malnutrition was observed. This was evidenced by the positive dynamics of weight-for-length and BMI-for-age Z-scores, the complete elimination of malnutrition in 3 (3.8%) patients and reduction of malnutrition severity in 5 (6.3%) children, a significant increase in the average upper arm muscle circumference from 14.96 ± 0.93 to 15.9 ± 0.8 mm (p < 0.05) in children aged between 1 and 10 years, an increase in the number of children with normal lean body mass Z-score from 25 to 33%. Biochemical markers remained within reference values. The use of specialized formulas in the diet of children with cystic fibrosis enriched therapeutic nutrition with protein by 26-28% and energy by 22-24%. Conclusion. The inclusion of hydrolyzed milk protein formulas “Peptamen Junior” and “Peptamen” (Nestlé, Switzerland) in nutrition therapy for children with cystic fibrosis can maintain their nutritional status at a satisfactory level, provide a positive prognosis of the disease, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Key words: cystic fibrosis, children, nutritional status, hydrolyzed milk protein formulas