Assessment of Malnutrition in Pre-School children visiting immunization clinic, Maharana Bhoopal Hospital, Udaipur (Rajasthan) -

Abstract

Background: The pre-school age groups (2-5years) were evaluated for growth and nutritional status at immunization clinic at Maharana Bhoopal hospital, Udaipur. Objectives: To study the malnutrition in pre-school children. Material & Methods: The cross sectional study had been carried out between august 2013 to November 2013 with 1080children at immunization clinic Maharana Bhoopal Hospital Udaipur. Body weight, height were recorded including with age, gender and also education and occupation and socio-economic status of mother by interviewing the mother at the time they attended the immunization clinic and by the help of MAMTA CARD. Result: The age and sex distribution of 1080 examined children revealed that 52.8% were males while 47.2% were females. The malnutrition in the subjects was determined as per World Health Organization child growth standards [1]. Data reveals that 4.2% of male children, 4.1% of female children were severely stunted and 10.7% of male children, 11.2% of female children were stunted. Whereas 3.1% of male children, 4.7% of female children were found to be severely wasted and 11.4% of male children, 12.3% of female children were wasted. Also found that 7.5% of male children, 7.6% of female children were overweight and 1.9% of male children, 1.0% of female children were obese. Conclusion: There is need of more education about nutrition and dietary habits to population including proper antenatal and postnatal care of mother to decrease the prevalence of malnutrition in children. Keywords: Children, Malnutrition, WHO child growth standards