67 USE OF POCKET COMPUTER BY PATIENTS WITH METABOLIC DISORDERS TO ADJUST THEIR DAILY NUTRITIONAL INTAKE

Abstract

After 5 years of age, one of the major problems to continue a special diet by patient with metabolic disorders is the anorexia. A likely cause is an imbalance due to the scarcity of choice in foodstuff available. A previous study using a computer program on Commodore 64 showed that the nutrient requirements were not always met in these patients despite adequate recommendation by the nutritionist. We recently developed a new version of the program adapted on a ATARI Portfolio^R. This system, in addition to its small size allowing a use on the spot, presents the following advantages: large memory capacity for more than 1000 foodstuffs and 60 nutrients, MS DOS compatible allowing data exchange with the computer system of the nutritionist. The first results obtained in 5 patients with phenylketonuria suggest that the caloric intake remain limited in the diet given at home. A proper diet management of a child with metabolic disorders should be made easier by use of home computer to help the child and his family in planning menus according to the results of the blood test and the recommendation of the physician.

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