Cystic fibrosis affects nutritional status because it interferes with adequate ingestion and absorption of nutrients. The present study evaluated 22 fibrocystic patients, who attended ambulatory visits at Hospital Infantil Joana de Gusmão, in the city of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, from August 1998 to January 1999. Nutritional status was determined by anthropometric measurements and food intake data. As to the nutritional status, 42.9% of the children under 2 years old and 28.6% over 10 years old were malnourished. Children between 2-10 years old did not present malnutrition. Evaluation of nutritional intake showed that 33.3% were eating adequate amounts of energy, and 95.2% of protein. It can be concluded that cystic fibrosis affects nutritional status of children in critical periods of growth and development, and that the quality of their diets can benefit from adequate nutritional care
nutrition; cystic fibrosis; nutrition assessment; eating; child
