1. What is the EER Equation for Children With Dementia?

The Estimated Energy Requirement (EER) equation for children with dementia calculates daily caloric needs based on age, physical activity level, weight, and height. It accounts for the unique metabolic needs of children with cognitive impairment.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the EER equation:

Where:

• \( A \) — Age in years
• \( PA \) — Physical activity level (dimensionless)
• \( W \) — Weight in kilograms
• \( H \) — Height in meters

Explanation: The equation accounts for basal metabolic rate adjusted for age, plus activity-dependent energy expenditure based on weight and height.

3. Importance of EER Calculation

Details: Accurate EER estimation is crucial for nutritional management of children with dementia to prevent both undernutrition and overfeeding.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter age in years (can include decimals), physical activity level (typically 1.0-1.5), weight in kg, and height in meters. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical PA values for children with dementia?
A: PA typically ranges from 1.0 (sedentary) to 1.5 (active). Bedridden children may use 1.0, while ambulatory children may use 1.2-1.5.

Q2: How does this differ from standard pediatric EER equations?
A: This equation includes an additional +20 kcal/day term to account for the metabolic demands associated with dementia.

Q3: How often should EER be recalculated?
A: EER should be recalculated monthly for growing children or whenever weight changes by ±5%.

Q4: Are there limitations to this equation?
A: This equation may need adjustment for children with severe mobility impairment or concurrent medical conditions.

Q5: Should this be used for tube-fed patients?
A: Yes, but clinical monitoring is essential as individual needs may vary by ±15% from calculated values.