(P27-047-25) Impact of Gastrointestinal Dysfunction on Nutrient Intake and Linear Growth in Korean Children

Objectives: Nutritional status significantly influences linear growth and child development. During the growth phases, gastrointestinal dysfunction manifested by symptoms such as nausea, epigastric pain, abdominal pain, and chronic constipation can reduce food intake, leading to inadequate nutrient absorption and potentially negative impacts on long-term growth. However, research on the relationships between nutritional status, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and height growth are limited. This study aims to assess the association between macro- and micronutrient intake, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and height-for-age Z scores (HAZ) among 105 Korean children aged 3 to 12 years visiting the Clinic.

Methods: The usual dietary intake of nutrients was estimated by the multiple source method (MSM).

Results: After adjustment for age and sex, children with gastrointestinal dysfunction were significantly more likely to consume less than their Estimated Energy Requirement (EER). Although not statistically significant, children consuming less than the EER were observed to have lower intakes of macro- and micronutrients and displayed reduced height-for-age Z scores, weight-for-age Z scores, and BMI-for-age Z scores.

Conclusions: These findings highlight the critical need to address gastrointestinal dysfunction in children during key growth periods to improve nutritional intake and support optimal growth. Further investigation into these relationships is warranted, with an emphasis on larger-scale studies and exploration of the underlying mechanisms.

Funding Sources: This research received no external funding.