Background-Aim: Data on malnutrition in childhood interstitial lung diseases (chILD) are scarce. We aimed to evaluate malnutrition in chILD and to investigate factors leading to poor nutritional status.

Methods: Data source Kids Lung Register. From baseline and follow-up data we analyzed nutritional parameters, severity scores, treatment modalities, PFT data (ppFEV1 and ppFVC) and disease severity (using Fan severity score).

Results: Data of 3,334 register visits from 759 children were included. At baseline, 94/759 children (12%) had PEG/fundoplication. For children <2 years, at baseline, malnutrition was present in 144/326 (44%) individuals. Among these children, the most common ILD categories were DPLD: related to alveolar surfactant region (n=38, 26%), growth abnormalities deficient alveolarisation (n=28, 19%), and infant conditions of undefined etiology (n=26, 18%). At one year follow up, malnutrition decreased to 32/144 (22%) children. Disease severity was higher in patients with malnutrition (p<0.001). For children >2 years, at baseline, malnutrition was present in 157/427 (37%) children. The most common ILD categories in these children were DPLD: related to alveolar surfactant region (n=49, 31%), exposures (n=26, 17%), and systemic disease processes (n=26; 17%). At one year follow up, malnutrition decreased to 90/365 (25%) children. Lower ppFEV1 (p<0.001), ppFVC (p<0.001) and disaese severity (p=0.047) were correlated with malnutrition.

Conclusion: Malnutrition is common in chILD. Further studies are needed to determine if early nutritional intervention improves the prognosis of patients with child (CRC chILD-EU).