Applied nutritional investigationNutrient intake in neurofibromatosis type 1: A cross-sectional study

- We investigated nutrient intake among 60 patients with neurofibromatosis type 1.
- Intake was evaluated using three non-consecutive, self-reported 24-h recall surveys.
- Inadequate nutrient intake was noted for vitamin D, B6, magnesium, and calcium.
- Patients consumed excess sodium and insufficient fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

ObjectivesTo evaluate nutrient intake among adult neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 60 NF1 patients (29 men, 31 women) who were ≥18 y old and were evaluated from September 2012 to September 2013 in a neurofibromatosis outpatient reference center. Patients underwent nutritional assessment, including anthropometric and dietary data collection. Food intake was evaluated using three, non-consecutive, self-reported 24-h dietary recall surveys, and nutrient intake was analyzed according to the recommendations of the dietary reference intake document.ResultsForty-three patients (72%) recorded energy consumption lower than the estimated daily energy requirement (EER). Men (25/29, 86.2%) were more likely to fail to meet their target EER, compared to women (18/31, 58.1%) (P = 0.016). Inadequate intake of vitamin D, magnesium, calcium, and pyridoxine was noted between men and women, and all patients consumed excess sodium. NF1 patients did not consume adequate amounts of fiber or vitamins A and C. Excessive consumption of saturated fatty acids and lipids was also observed in both male and female patients.ConclusionsIn this study, NF1 patients consumed an unhealthy diet that was rich in fats and sodium and lacking in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of these dietary and nutritional patterns in the severity of the clinical manifestations of NF1.