EVALUATION OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND RELATED FACTORS IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL DUE TO INFECTION

Abstract

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of preschool children who were admitted to the hospital due to infection, and to determine the relationship between the frequency of infection and their growth and development. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 110 children aged between 3 and 6 years who applied due to infection to a hospital in Istanbul. Data collection was made with face to face interviews with a questionnaire form including questions about the child's age, gender, health status, infection frequency, cleaning habits, anthropometric measurements, and food consumption frequency. Results: According to body mass index (BMI) Z scores, 8.1% of the children were severely thin, 9.1% thin, 44.5% normal, 21.8% overweight, and 16.4% obese. While 36.4% of the children having infection 1-3 times a year, 63.6% having infection 4 and more times a year. Children whose rooms were cleaned frequently had more infections (p<0.05). There was no relationship between the children's daily energy and nutrient consumption and the infection frequency (p>0.05) except vitamin D. Children who consumed less vitamin D had 4 or more infections yearly (p<0.05). Conclusion: Frequent infectious diseases during childhood affect growth and development. Due to the bilateral relationship between infection and malnutrition, the nutritional status and growth developments of children with frequent infections should be followed closely.