Assessment of Nutritional Deficiency of the Sekmai Children, Manipur (Clinical Aspect)

H Jibonkumar

doi:10.7176/jmpb/53-01

Abstract

Nutritional status of the Sekmai children belonging to 4+ to 10+ has been assessed on the basis of six clinical symptoms associated with nutritional depletion. The sample comprises 360 boys and 371 girls. Assessment based on hair luster, quantity and texture reveals protein deficiency of the Sekmai boys as 8.9 %, 16.1 % and 10.8 % respectively. The frequencies of protein deficient girls on the basis of hair characters are 11.3% (hair luster), 13.2% (hair quantity) and 14.5% (hair texture). Symptom of niacin deficiency assessed by examination of tongue is very low, represented by only 0.2% of the boys and 0.26% girls. Fluoride deficiency as revealed by mottled enamel of teeth, is also low, being shown by 3.87% of the boys on average and 1.61% among the girls. Average frequency of Bitot’s spot on eye, which is an indication of vitamin-A deficiency, among the boys is 0.83% and that of the girls is 0.26%. By and large, nutritional deficiency among the Sekmai children of 4+ to 10+ years cannot be considered as alarming situation. Keywords: Clinical, PCM, VAD, Niacin, Fluoride DOI : 10.7176/JMPB/53-01 Publication date :March 31 st 2019

Highlights

Inappropriate nutrition of children has been recognized as one of the major public health problems in many developing countries including India (Rathur, et al.1975, ICMR.1971)
Nutritional deficiency among the Sekmai children of 4+ to 10+ years cannot be considered as alarming situation
The present paper reports on nutritional status of the Sekmai children, Manipur, assessed on the basis of clinical symptoms associated with nutritional depletion

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Inappropriate nutrition of children has been recognized as one of the major public health problems in many developing countries including India (Rathur, et al.1975, ICMR.1971). Clinical examination has always been an important practical method for assessing nutritional status of an individual or a population This method is based on examination of changes, related to inadequate nutrition that can be seen or felt in the super facial epithelial tissues, skins, eyes hair and buccal mucosa, or in organs near the surface of the body such as the parotids and thyroid glands. The present paper reports on nutritional status of the Sekmai children, Manipur, assessed on the basis of clinical symptoms (physical sign) associated with nutritional depletion. This is a part of survey which included anthropometric measurements and dietary survey. Rice is the staple food; pork is the most frequently eaten meat

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Findings

AND DISCUSSION