Nutrient Intake of Infants Hospitalized with Lower Respiratory Tract Infections

Abstract

The respiratory syncytial virus is the most common cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children worldwide (1). These infections generate a predictable metabolic response that includes the synthesis of acute phase proteins, immune factors, and hormones; increased oxygen consumption; and utilization of certain vitamins and minerals (2). Often, these metabolic changes are accompanied by a decrease in food intake (3–5), forcing the body to rely on its stored nutrients to meet the metabolic demands of an acute phase response. If this condition persists, nutrients may become depleted, impairing the body’s ability to mount an effective immune response (6,7). Infants less than 2 years of age and those with chronic medical conditions are especially vulnerable (8). There is little information about the nutritional intake of infants who are hospitalized with acute infections. The objectives of this study were: to describe the dietary intakes of a group of critically ill US infants with viral lower respiratory tract infections before and during the acute illness, and to compare average nutrient intakes with current nutrient intake recommendations.