Malnutrition: Already exist and is being overlooked?

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition is defined as deficiency and or imbalance of nutrients and energy and may produce a negative effect on the growth, maintenance, and specific functions of the body. This study purposed to determine the nutritional situation, to define the presence of malnutrition, to detect the deficiencies of micronutrients of the children admitted to a pediatric tertiary hospital. Methods: A retrospective, cross‑sectional, single unit-based study in pediatric patients admitted to the pediatric wards for differential diagnosis or treatment was conducted between November 2017 and December 2019. The anthropometric measurements were figured out on hospital admission of all pediatric patients. The pediatric patients diagnosed with malnutrition were assessed to detect their nutritional status/feeding habits and to identify any associated factors. Results: A total of 1206 children were hospitalized with an acute illness diagnosis and/or treatment during the study period. One hundred fifteen patients were noted to have malnutrition; acute malnutrition (wasting) (weight for height z-score < - 2 SDS) (n=51/115, 44.3%) and chronic malnutrition (stunted) (height-for-age < −2 SDS) was detected in 64/115 (55.7%) patients; the prevalence of wasting, and stunting was 4.2% and 5.3%, respectively. Conclusions: Our study suggests that it should be performed an assessment of nutritional status/ history and anthropometric measurements every admission to the hospital in order to provide healthy growth development in childhood, particularly under 2 of age and interventions should be strengthened for general child health.