Long term effects of medically prescribed diets on growth and body composition in children with inborn errors of metabolism

This thesis by publication describes dietary intake and longitudinal growth and body composition patterns of children who require medically prescribed diets due to an inborn error of metabolism. The relationship between dietary protein quality and quantity, the dietary protein to energy ratio, and growth and body composition outcomes were investigated. A reliable method to measure body composition in the outpatient clinic setting for individuals with Phenylketonuria was also validated. The results of this research can be immediately translated into clinical practice, with the provision of a novel clinical tool to assess and make recommendations for dietary management of these patients.