Objective:

To evaluate the association between telemedicine follow-up and nutritional outcomes in children with neurological impairment.

Approach:

• Study Design: A longitudinal observational study including 152 children with neurological impairment, comparing standard in-person follow-up with a combination of in-person and telemedicine visits.
• Nutritional Assessment: Nutritional status was assessed using body mass index (BMI) z-score at baseline and follow-up, with outcomes classified as improved, stable, or worsened.
• Statistical Analysis: Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of nutritional deterioration.

Key Findings:

• No significant differences in BMI z-score at follow-up between telemedicine and standard care groups (p = 0.877).
• Baseline BMI z-score was associated with nutritional worsening (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.04-1.50; p = 0.013).
• Telemedicine follow-up, age, PEG, GMFCS severity, and follow-up duration were not associated with nutritional worsening.

Interpretation:

Baseline BMI z-score was the only variable independently associated with nutritional worsening during follow-up. No statistically significant differences in nutritional outcomes were observed between telemedicine and standard care groups.

Limitations:

• Differences in baseline characteristics limit direct comparability between groups.
• The study may not generalize to all pediatric populations with neurological impairments.

Conclusion:

No statistically significant differences in nutritional outcomes were observed between telemedicine and standard care groups.