Assessment of Nutrient and Energy Intakes Among Children with Down Syndrome

Hadeel Ali Ghazzawi, Reem Ibrahim Al Soub and Adam Tawfiq Amawi

Background and Objective: Down’s syndrome (DS) is one of the disability conditions that can reduce productivity especially if coming with nutritional problems. Malnutrition as revealed by anthropometric variables and micronutrient deficiency is highly prevalent among children and adolescents with DS compared to normal controls. This study assessed the nutrient and energy intake of children with DS. A cross-sectional study included 100 boys’ and girls’ cases 8-18 years. Materials and Methods: The sample was divided into two age groups, 8-12 and 13-18 years old. Anthropometric measures of body weight, height and calculated body mass index were performed. Three 24 hrs recall was conducted to evaluate daily dietary intake. Results: The mean weight and height of the studied participant were 39.5±11 kg and 126.00±0.1 cm, respectively. The mean body fat percent (BFP) was 37.1±9.1. 73% of the participants were of normal weight, while less than 21% were overweight, mean differences showed that total calories, protein, carbohydrate and fat intakes were higher than the RDA. Sugar and saturated fat intake were higher than the DGA, sodium intake was higher than UL. Omega 3, omega 6, vitamin K and potassium showed lowered intake when compared to AI level. While, vitamin A, D, E and folate, magnesium, zinc, copper and selenium showed lower intake when compared to the RDA. Conclusion: Children with Down syndrome tended to excessively consume food. It triggered excessive energy, protein and carbohydrate intake in most children with DS and at risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

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