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. 2024 Apr 3;10(7):e28834.
doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28834. eCollection 2024 Apr 15.

Effect of high-calorie formula on weight, height increment, IGF-1 and TLC in growth faltering children: A quasi-experimental study

Nur Aisiyah Widjaja  1   2 , Azizah Hamida  1 , Marisa Tulus Purnomo  1 , Azarina Satjadibrata  1 , Putri Permata Sari  1 , Laksmi Suci Handini  2 , Theresia Novi  3 , Meta Herdiana Hanindita  1 , Roedi Irawan  1
Affiliations

Effect of high-calorie formula on weight, height increment, IGF-1 and TLC in growth faltering children: A quasi-experimental study

Nur Aisiyah Widjaja et al. Heliyon. .

Abstract

High-calorie formulas have been used to promote catch-up growth in undernourished children. The level of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is closely related to weight and nutritional intake, whereas low a total lymphocyte count (TLC) is associated with impaired immune system function in undernourished children. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of high-calorie formula as an intervention on weight, height increment, IGF-1 and TLC in children with growth faltering or undernutrition. A quasi-experimental study with pre- and post-design was conducted in the outpatient clinic of a private hospital during October 2021-July 2022 on children with growth failure and underlying infection. For 90 days, subjects were given a high-calorie formula. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was then conducted to measure IGF-1, followed by a complete blood count examination. Subjects were divided into two groups based on age: Group 1 (12-24 months) and Group 2 (>24-60 months). There was a significant increment in body weight and body length/height after intervention but no significant difference between the groups. The increment of body length/height after intervention was greater in Group 1 than Group 2 (p = 0.000) and reduced the incidence of stunted/severely stunted and wasted/severely wasted children (p > 0.05). IGF-1 increased after the intervention but with no significant difference (1.42 ± 8.31 ng/ml; p = 0.144). There was a significant reduction in TLC after the intervention (1194.34 + 4400.34 cells/mm3; p = 0.002) that was reduced in Group 1 and slightly increased in Group 2 (p = 0.003). Being underweight/severely underweight increased the risk of a low TLC by 27.658-fold but this risk was reduced by 25.904-fold after nutritional intervention. High-calorie formula intervention increases body weight and body length/height, reduces the incidence of underweight, stunted and wasted children and improves IGF-1 levels.

Keywords: High-calorie formula; IGF-1; TLC; nutritional intervention; undernutrition.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Nur Aisiyah Widjaja reports financial support, article publishing charges, and equipment, drugs, or supplies were provided by Danone Specialized Nutrition Indonesia.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Research flowcharts.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Incidence of illness during intervention and the effect on IGF-1.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Incidence of illness during intervention and the effect on TLC.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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