Long-term nutritional and gastrointestinal aspects in patients with ataxia telangiectasia

Objective: Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T)is a rare genetic disease involving multiple organs, but, to our knowledge, data on long-term gastrointestinal and nutritional involvement are scarce. The aim of this study was to longitudinally review the nutritional and gastrointestinal aspects of A-T. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of patients followed from 1986 to 2015 at one center. Demographic, laboratory, and nutritional data were retrieved. Body mass index (BMI) values were converted to BMI Z-score (BMI-Z). Caloric intake was estimated by food diaries and compared with estimated energy requirements for sex and age with a physical activity level factor for light physical activity. Results: The study included 53 patients (28 males [53%1, ages 14.6 +/- 5.2 y). BMI-Z was inversely correlated with age (r = 0.48; P < 0.004). A decline below minimal BMI percentiles was observed after the age of 4 y in boys and 7 yin girls. The relative percentage of caloric intake decreased with age (r = -0.5; P < 0.002), and was positively correlated with BMI-Z (r = 0.35; P < 0.05). Presence of cough during meals was associated with recurrent lower respiratory tract infections (Fisher exact test, P < 0.01). Gastrostomy tubes were inserted in 12 patients, leading to improvement in BMI-Z from 5.1 +/- 2.4 to 4 +/- 2.9 (P < 0.05). Conclusions: There is a progressive growth failure and low nutritional intake with age in patients with A-T, starting in early childhood in males, and more prominent in patients with cough and choking during meals. A proactive approach and insertion of a percutaneous gastrostomy tube as soon as the BMI-Z starts to decrease should be considered. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.