Nutritional status and body composition in children with inflammatory bowel disease: a prospective, controlled, and longitudinal study

Background Malnutrition and growth retardation (GR) are major extraintestinal presentations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in childhood and are especially prevalent among those with Crohn’s disease (CD). We aimed to evaluate nutritional and growth status and body composition (BC) of children with IBD during a 1-year follow-up. Methods Thirty-eight children with IBD and 57 age- and sex-matched controls were recruited prospectively. Anthropometry (weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and triceps skinfold thickness (TSFT) indicated as z scores for age and sex and mid-arm circumference) and bioelectrical impedance analysis were performed at baseline (T0) and after 1 year (T1). Disease activity was evaluated by clinical scoring systems. GR was defined as HAZ