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

• Published in: Heliyon Vol. 10; no. 7; p. e28834
• Main Authors: Widjaja, Nur Aisiyah, Hamida, Azizah, Purnomo, Marisa Tulus, Satjadibrata, Azarina, Sari, Putri Permata, Handini, Laksmi Suci, Novi, Theresia, Hanindita, Meta Herdiana, Irawan, Roedi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15.04.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: blood; body length; compensatory growth; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; High-calorie formula; hospitals; IGF-1; immune system; insulin-like growth factor I; lymphocyte count; malnutrition; nutritional intervention; risk; TLC; undernutrition; underweight; nutritional intervention; IGF-1; TLC; High-calorie formula; undernutrition
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28834

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.