Unknown

Dataset Information

0

The effect of short-term preoperative nutritional intervention for cleft surgery eligibility.


ABSTRACT:

Background

Children with orofacial clefts are highly susceptible to malnutrition, with severe malnutrition restricting their eligibility to receive safe surgery. Ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) are an effective treatment for malnutrition; however, the effectiveness has not been demonstrated in this patient population prior to surgery. We studied the effectiveness of short-term RUTF use in transitioning children with malnutrition, who were initially ineligible for surgery, into surgical candidates.

Methods

A cohort of patients from Ghana, Honduras, Malawi, Madagascar, Nicaragua, and Venezuela enrolled in a nutrition program were followed by Operation Smile from June 2017 to January 2020. Age, weight, and length/height were tracked at each visit. Patients were included until they were sufficiently nourished (Z >  = -1) with a secondary outcome of receiving surgery. The study was part of a collaborative program between Operation Smile (NGO), Birdsong Peanuts (peanut shellers and distributors), and MANA Nutrition (RUTF producer).

Results

A total of 556 patients were recruited between June 2017 and January 2020. At baseline 28.2% (n = 157) of patients were diagnosed with severe, 21.0% (n = 117) moderate, and 50.7% (n = 282) mild malnutrition. 324 (58.3%) presented for at least one return visit. Of those, 207 (63.7%) reached optimal nutrition status. By visit two, the mean z-score increased from -2.5 (moderate) to -1.7 (mild) (p < 0·001). The mean time to attain optimal nutrition was 6 weeks. There was a significant difference in the proportion of patients who improved by country(p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Malnutrition prevents many children with orofacial clefts in low- and middle-income countries from receiving surgical care even when provided for free. This creates an even larger disparity in access to surgery. In an average of 6 weeks with an approximate cost of $25 USD per patient, RUTF transitioned over 60% of patients into nutritionally eligible surgical candidates, making it an effective, short-term preoperative nutritional intervention. Through unique partnerships, the expansion of cost-effective, large-scale nutrition programs can play a pivotal role in ensuring those at the highest risk of living with unrepaired orofacial clefts receive timely and safe surgical care.

SUBMITTER: Mikhail S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10012294 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

altmetric image

Publications


<h4>Background</h4>Children with orofacial clefts are highly susceptible to malnutrition, with severe malnutrition restricting their eligibility to receive safe surgery. Ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) are an effective treatment for malnutrition; however, the effectiveness has not been demonstrated in this patient population prior to surgery. We studied the effectiveness of short-term RUTF use in transitioning children with malnutrition, who were initially ineligible for surgery, into surg  ...[more]

Similar Datasets

| S-EPMC11877742 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC11231871 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC9872124 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC10433543 | biostudies-literature
2017-04-19 | GSE80077 | GEO
| S-EPMC7798109 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC11833586 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC8754322 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC11614419 | biostudies-literature
2008-11-19 | E-TABM-377 | biostudies-arrayexpress