Influence of diet on cardiometabolic dysregulation and sarcopenia in children after liver transplantation

• Author / Creator

  Ayala Romero, Rocio

• Background: Cardio-metabolic dysregulation (CMD) and sarcopenia have been shown to influence important co-morbid conditions in children after liver transplantation (LTx). In adults with liver disease, suboptimal intake of some nutrients (protein, vitamin D) and high takes of added sugars and saturated fat have been shown to be important contributors to CMD/sarcopenia risk. The influence of dietary patterns, such as high consumption of carbohydrates, fat, and saturated fat as well as low intake of protein and key micronutrients, on CMD and sarcopenia has yet to be explored. The study objectives were to examine the association between dietary intake and the prevalence of sarcopenia and CMD in children (aged 6-18 years) after liver transplant (LTx).
  Methods: Dietary data (3-day food records) collected in a previously conducted cross-sectional study was analyzed to determine relationships between diet, sarcopenia and CMD risk in children post-LTx (n=22). CMD was defined using three criteria: ATP-III, Magnussen et al. and WHO. Sarcopenia was determined using the European Consensus Working Group Criteria for adults.
  Results: Sarcopenia and CMD occurred in 36% and up to 50% of LTx children, respectively. Children with sarcopenia had significantly higher protein, and lower fat and PUFA intakes than LTx children without sarcopenia (p103%) and saturated fat (68%) (AMDR>106%). Additionally, 3 participants (13.6%) had a combined diagnosis of sarcopenia and CMD. One of these patients had dietary intakes outside recommended ranges for fat (AMDR>110%), two for saturated fat (AMDR>134%), one for omega-3 (AI=53%), and one for calcium (RDA=61%).
  Conclusions: Children after LTx should receive a personalized diet to help monitor their intake for fat and saturated fat, particularly those with CMD. Routine follow-ups are an opportunity to monitor for any signs of decreased muscle function, abnormal laboratory values and dietary factors that may contribute to these co-morbid conditions.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • sarcopenia
  • diet
  • nutrition
  • cardiometabolic
  • cardiometabolic dysregulation
  • cardiometabolic disease
  • liver transplant
  • children
  • pediatrics

• Graduation date

  Fall 2021

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-khqa-ra07

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.