Nutritional reflection on growth and development among intellectually disabled children

• Published in: Bulletin of the National Research Centre 2020-11, Vol.44 (1), p.1-7, Article 189
• Main Authors: Al Sayed, Marwa Nasr, Mostafa, Mohamed Salah, Gebaly, Howida Hosny El, Mohamed, Rania Samy, Kastandy, Magda Ramzy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Birth order; Children; Children with disabilities; Environmental Sciences; Food analysis; Humanities and Social Sciences; Intellectual disabilities; Intellectual disability; Intelligence; IQ level; Malnutrition; Mental development; multidisciplinary; Nutritional factors; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Socioeconomic impacts; Vitamins; Zinc
• ISSN: 2522-8307; 2522-8307
• DOI: 10.1186/s42269-020-00443-4

Background Many studies revealed that there is a strong relationship between neurodevelopmental delay and malnutrition. This clinic-based study aimed to detect nutritional problems and its reflection on growth and mental development through determination of the nutritional profile among disabled children. Results This study showed significant difference in the residential places between the two groups of lower and higher IQ. The birth order is significantly related to level of IQ in children. By applying food analysis, there is significant difference in the elements they get between the two groups of children (of lower and higher IQ). Multiple analysis showed significant relationship between orientation and zinc intake with IQ of children. Conclusion Intellectual disability is more prevalent in rural and popular residential. As the birth order increases, the percentage of lower IQ increases. Dietary profile for intellectually disabled children (of lower IQ) is regarded to be richer with dietary elements and vitamins than that for higher IQ children. According to the multiple analysis, orientation and zinc intake are the most effective variables on the IQ scores.