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Behavioral & Nutritional Treatment to Help CF Preschoolers Grow

A Multi-Site Randomized Clinical Trial of Behavioral and Nutrition Treatment Designed to Help Preschoolers With Cystic Fibrosis Optimize Growth

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00241969
Enrollment
78
Registered
2005-10-19
Start date
2006-01-31
Completion date
2015-06-30
Last updated
2018-05-22

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cystic Fibrosis, Pancreatic Cystic Fibrosis

Keywords

nutrition therapy, preschool children, cystic fibrosis

Brief summary

The primary objective of this NIH funded clinical trial is to conduct a multi-center, randomized, controlled trial comparing two interventions: a behavioral plus nutrition intervention to a nutrition intervention. This study will (a) determine the impact of the behavioral intervention on energy intake and weight gain; (b) examine the durability of the behavioral intervention's impact on growth (weight and height) one year following treatment; and (c) explore the relation between physical activity and growth.

Detailed description

Evidence-based nutritional interventions that achieve and sustain optimal growth in young children with cystic fibrosis (CF) do not exist, despite an urgent need. Such an intervention could positively change the course of clinical lung disease and enhance survival for these children. The primary objective of this NIH funded clinical trial is to conduct a multi-center, randomized, controlled trial comparing two interventions: a behavioral plus nutrition intervention to a nutrition (attention control) intervention. All subjects will receive nutritional care consistent with the 2001 CF Consensus Conference guidelines for pediatric nutrition. The specific aims are to: 1. determine the impact of the behavioral intervention on energy intake and weight gain; 2. examine the durability of the behavioral intervention's impact on growth (weight and height) one year following treatment; and 3. explore the relation between physical activity and growth. The central hypothesis is that behavioral intervention will lead to better growth as measured by change in weight and height for age z scores. From three CF Centers in Ohio, (Cincinnati Children's, Columbus Children's, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland), two referral centers in Ohio (Dayton Children's and Akron Children's), one CF Center in Michigan (University of Michigan-Ann Arbor), and one CF Center in Arizona (University of Arizona-Tucson), 100 preschoolers with CF and pancreatic insufficiency age 2 to 6 years will be randomized to one of the two conditions. The two groups will be stratified so that they are similar at the initiation of treatment on weight for age z score. Other critical variables such as history of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and gender will be used as covariates in the statistical analysis plan. Outcome data (energy intake measured by 7-day diet record, weight, height) will be obtained at baseline, post-treatment (6 months), and after a 12-month follow-up (18 months post baseline). Secondary measures will include body mass index, body composition measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and skinfolds, and growth velocity. Behavioral treatment will maximize adherence to a high energy diet and enzyme replacement therapy, and motivate children to increase their energy intake. It involves 7 weekly sessions followed by 4 monthly sessions. The attention condition controls for time of contact and number of assessments conducted. This study advances the investigation of early nutritional interventions for young children with CF and directly addresses the need for controlled, longitudinal assessment of behavioral intervention on growth. The long-range goal is to change the standard of nutritional care for young children with CF because behavioral intervention leads to optimal growth and ultimately improves lung health and survival.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALBehavioral and Nutrition Treatment

This intervention will combine individualized nutrition counseling that targets increasing energy and fat intake and parent training of effective behavioral child management skills. The treatment is delivered through 8 weekly sessions followed by 4 monthly sessions, each lasting around 60 minutes.

BEHAVIORALEducation and Attention Control

This intervention will provide information about a number of aspects of their child's CF care and also provides anticipatory guidance for preschoolers.The treatment is delivered through 8 weekly sessions followed by 4 monthly sessions, each lasting around 60 minutes.

Sponsors

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
CollaboratorNIH
Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
2 Years to 6 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* confirmed diagnosis of cystic fibrosis based upon 2 of the following: a. sweat chloride by quantitative pilocarpine electrophoresis ≥60 milliequivalent/Liter (mEq/L), b. two clinical features consistent with CF, or c. genetic testing demonstrating two mutations associated with CF * confirmation of pancreatic insufficiency based upon fecal elastase of ≤ 100 micrograms per gram of stool (or an undetectable level) * age at enrollment to the trial of 2.0 years to 6.0 years * at least 6 months post CF diagnosis * consuming an unrestricted fat diet

Exclusion criteria

* diagnosis of developmental delay (i.e., autism, cerebral palsy, or mental retardation) * receiving supplemental enteral nutrition via nasogastric tube, gastrostomy, or total parenteral nutrition * diagnosed with another disease/condition (e.g., insulin dependent diabetes, congenital heart disease, significant renal disease, history of bowel resection or short bowel syndrome, colonic strictures) known to affect growth * taking a medication (e.g., insulin, growth hormone, chronic use of systemic steroids) known to affect growth * screening assessment shows genetic potential for height as acceptable according to the 2001 Consensus Conference guidelines and diet diary indicates daily Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) of energy average of 140% or greater (DRI of 100% will be determined as the estimated energy requirement \[EER\] based upon the child's age, gender, and an active physical activity level * weight z score (age and gender adjusted) of \> 1.0 * prior participation in the pilot intervention studies conducted by the PI during the prior period of R01 funding or current participation in an intervention trial conducted by the Cystic Fibrosis Therapeutics Development Network.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Energy Intake From Baseline to Post Treatment6 monthsThis primary outcome measure compared change in energy intake from baseline to post treatment between the behavioral and nutrition treatment and the education and attention control treatment. Energy intake was assessed using a 7-day diet diary recorded by parents and analyzed using Nutrition Data System for Research Software, Version 2011. Data were examined as average kilocalories per day over the 7 day period at baseline and post treatment. The mean (SD) change in energy intake was compared between baseline to post treatment was
Change in Weight for Age Z-Score (WAZ) From Baseline to Post Treatment6 monthsThis outcome measure examines the change in weight for age Z-score (WAZ) from baseline to post treatment. Weight was measured in kilograms, measured to the nearest 100 grams, obtained using a digital scale by trained study staff. All measurements were obtained in triplicate and then the mean used for analyses. Weight for age Z score was calculated using the mean measurement and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Anthropometric Software Program. The z score is a measure of the number of standard deviations that an observation is above or below the mean. A positive z score indicates that the observation is above the mean, a negative z score that the observation is below the mean.
Change in Height for Age Z-Score (HAZ) From Baseline to Follow Up18 monthsThis outcome measure examines the change in height for age Z-score (HAZ) from baseline to follow up. Height was measured standing unless the child was unwilling to stand, then a supine measurement was obtained. All measurements were obtained in triplicate and then the mean used for analyses. Height for age Z score was calculated using the mean measurement and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Anthropometric Software Program. The z score is a measure of the number of standard deviations that an observation is above or below the mean. A positive z score indicates that the observation is above the mean, a negative z score that the observation is below the mean.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Behavioral and Nutrition Treatment
Behavioral and Nutrition Treatment Behavioral plus Nutrition Treatment: This intervention will combine individualized nutrition counseling that targets increasing energy and fat intake and parent training of effective behavioral child management skills.
36
Education and Attention Control Treatment
Education and Attention Control Treatment Attention Control Treatment: This intervention will provide information about a number of aspects of their child's CF care and also provides anticipatory guidance for preschoolers.
42
Total78

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicBehavioral and Nutrition TreatmentTotalEducation and Attention Control Treatment
Age, Continuous3.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.2
3.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.3
3.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.3
Energy Intake (kcal/day)1462 calories/day (kcal/day)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 330
1462 calories/day (kcal/day)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 329
1461 calories/day (kcal/day)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 332
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Non-Hispanic
35 Participants75 Participants40 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race-White
35 Participants77 Participants42 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
20 Participants43 Participants23 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
16 Participants35 Participants19 Participants
Weight for Age Z score-0.36 z-score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.75
-0.44 z-score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.81
-0.51 z-score
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.85

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 360 / 42
other
Total, other adverse events
34 / 3641 / 42
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 360 / 42

Outcome results

Primary

Change in Energy Intake From Baseline to Post Treatment

This primary outcome measure compared change in energy intake from baseline to post treatment between the behavioral and nutrition treatment and the education and attention control treatment. Energy intake was assessed using a 7-day diet diary recorded by parents and analyzed using Nutrition Data System for Research Software, Version 2011. Data were examined as average kilocalories per day over the 7 day period at baseline and post treatment. The mean (SD) change in energy intake was compared between baseline to post treatment was

Time frame: 6 months

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Behavioral and Nutrition TreatmentChange in Energy Intake From Baseline to Post Treatment485 kilocalories per dayStandard Deviation 355
Education and Attention Control TreatmentChange in Energy Intake From Baseline to Post Treatment58 kilocalories per dayStandard Deviation 248
p-value: <0.00195% CI: [282, 581]ANCOVA
Primary

Change in Height for Age Z-Score (HAZ) From Baseline to Follow Up

This outcome measure examines the change in height for age Z-score (HAZ) from baseline to follow up. Height was measured standing unless the child was unwilling to stand, then a supine measurement was obtained. All measurements were obtained in triplicate and then the mean used for analyses. Height for age Z score was calculated using the mean measurement and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Anthropometric Software Program. The z score is a measure of the number of standard deviations that an observation is above or below the mean. A positive z score indicates that the observation is above the mean, a negative z score that the observation is below the mean.

Time frame: 18 months

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Behavioral and Nutrition TreatmentChange in Height for Age Z-Score (HAZ) From Baseline to Follow Up0.09 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 0.26
Education and Attention Control TreatmentChange in Height for Age Z-Score (HAZ) From Baseline to Follow Up-0.02 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 0.32
p-value: 0.04995% CI: [0.001, 0.27]ANCOVA
Primary

Change in Weight for Age Z-Score (WAZ) From Baseline to Post Treatment

This outcome measure examines the change in weight for age Z-score (WAZ) from baseline to post treatment. Weight was measured in kilograms, measured to the nearest 100 grams, obtained using a digital scale by trained study staff. All measurements were obtained in triplicate and then the mean used for analyses. Weight for age Z score was calculated using the mean measurement and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Anthropometric Software Program. The z score is a measure of the number of standard deviations that an observation is above or below the mean. A positive z score indicates that the observation is above the mean, a negative z score that the observation is below the mean.

Time frame: 6 months

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Behavioral and Nutrition TreatmentChange in Weight for Age Z-Score (WAZ) From Baseline to Post Treatment0.12 z-scoreStandard Deviation 0.4
Education and Attention Control TreatmentChange in Weight for Age Z-Score (WAZ) From Baseline to Post Treatment0.06 z-scoreStandard Deviation 0.32
p-value: 0.2595% CI: [-0.06, 0.24]ANCOVA

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 4, 2026