Nutritional status, macro- and micronutrient deficiency in children with neurodevelopmental disorders

Abstract

The nutritional status of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) has a significant impact on their overall health and quality of life. Most of the scientific research, exploring NDD children's nutrition, has been dedicated to cerebral palsy (CP) patients who are reported to suffer from malnutrition in 46%-90% of the cases. The etiology of malnutrition in children with NDD involves many underlying factors and can be contributed to both nutritional and non-nutritional factors. Obesity typically associated with mentally retarded children and children with genetic syndromes (e.g. Down syndrome) is nowadays less frequently observed. The energy needs of children with severe cases of central nervous system disorder differ from the energy requirements of normally developing children. The difference can be largely attributed to the interplay of several factors affecting the basal metabolic rate. The prevalence of malnutrition can induce or worsen respiratory failure as well as secondary immune deficiency, which in turn affects the prognosis of the underlying disease. Macronutrient deficiency in NDD children is commonly accompanied by micronutrient losses of folate, iron, magnesium, vitamin D, essential fatty acids, etc., which are crucial for a number of metabolic pathways. The lacking in any or all macro-and micronutrients may produce symptoms that are difficult to distinguish from the already present neurological disorder. This situation calls for a comprehensive evaluation and nutritional support for NDD children for an improved prognosis and quality of life, considering the current data and knowledge on the problem.

Evaluation of the Relationship between the BMI and the Sequence and Chronology of Eruption in Permanent Dentition in Spanish Population

“…There are multiple studies that have related nutritional status and oral health [ 16 , 21 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ], it even seems that alterations in the TAS2R38 gene (the bitter fret gene) are associated with caries rates and obesity [ 30 ]. Childhood overweight and obesity worsen aspects of oral health such as caries experience, periodontal disease, and quality of life in relation to oral health [ 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”

“…Childhood overweight and obesity worsen aspects of oral health such as caries experience, periodontal disease, and quality of life in relation to oral health [ 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Changes in the shape, size, and dental eruption associated with lack of calcium and phosphorus during dental development have been reported [ 21 , 29 , 34 ]. Some associations between calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B, and ascorbic acid deficiency have also been shown with different forms of periodontal disease [ 11 , 12 , 14 , 15 , 17 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

“…Some associations between calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B, and ascorbic acid deficiency have also been shown with different forms of periodontal disease [ 11 , 12 , 14 , 15 , 17 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Alterations in the sequence of eruption and dental eruptive delay have been seen in premature children, and with low birth weight, endocrine disorders, race, or socioeconomic aspects; in addition to an increase in the incidence of malocclusions [ 12 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Recent studies suggested an advance in craniofacial growth in obese adolescents [ 21 ].…”

“…In the last decade, several studies have analyzed the influence of nutrition on dental eruption [ 6 , 11 , 12 , 15 , 17 , 20 , 21 , 26 , 29 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ]. Most studies found an association between being overweight and acceleration of tooth eruption, although it was not significant in all cases [ 6 , 12 , 37 , 39 , 42 ].…”

Nutritional Status is Associated with Permanent Tooth Eruption in a Group of Brazilian School Children

“…Many factors could affect primary and permanent tooth eruption. Some studies suggested that low birth weight and prematurity, 1 - 4 endocrinology conditions, 5 - 7 ethnicity, 8 socioeconomic aspects, 9 and nutritional status, such as malnourishment (underweight), and obesity, 7 , 10 - 25 could affect tooth eruption leading to a delay or earlier tooth eruption and primary tooth exfoliation.…”