The Effect of L-Carnitine and High Calorie Diet on Anthropometric Measuremets, Biochemical Parameters and Cognitive Development of Patients with Rett Syndrome

Abstract

This study is held for 24 children between 2 and 15 years of age with Rett syndrome who are followed by Hacettepe University İhsan Doğramacı Children Hospital Pediatric Neurology and who have never used special diet. The individual s daily energy needs are calculated by usirıg Schofıeld formula which is based on age, sex and weight. The individual diets in which energy is %55-60 o f carbonhydrate and %13-15 o f protein and %25-30 o f fa t and which include carnitine and which are supported by enteral products are prepared. 50-100mg/kg Lca n ıitin e oral suplement is given to the indviduals. Specific nutrition training was given to the children and their parerıts who were in the scope o f research. Before this study, in the scope o f research the weight %25.0 o f children with Rett syndrome is below 5 percentile. After this study the number o f individuals who are below 5 percentile decreases to %12.5.Tlıe dıfferences between them is found statistically signifıcant (p<0.05). There is a linear strong relationship between the weight o f individuals before and after the study and the midupp er arm circumference measurements (p<0.001). Before the study while the to ta l calcium is 9.32±0.58mg/dl after the study it is found as 9.51 ±0.54 mg/dl. The difference between iııdividuals' total calcium measurements is statistically signifıcant (p<0.05). Before this study the average o f the bone mineral density of 17 individuals is -2.37±1.14. The individuals’ intake o f energy, protein and carbonhydrate, fa t and calcium are very low while contrasting with the 3 days nourishment consumption (p<0.001). It was observed that the number of positive answers about the cognitive development increased after the study. At the end of this study it is found that high calorie diets and L carnitine which are given to children with Rett syndrome have important effects on some biochemical parametres and cognitive developments and antrophometric measurements.