Abstract
BackgroundCritically ill children have a lower nutritional reserve, compounding the restricted food intake during intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stays, and scarce data are available to point out the problem. Therefore, this review aimed to assess the pooled prevalence of malnutrition among critically ill children.MethodologyThis systematic review was conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology for systematic reviews of prevalence and incidence. Databases including, PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL/EBSCO, HINARI, Google Scholar, and gray literatures were used to find relevant articles. Eligible studies were critically appraised by two independent reviewers. Systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using STATA 17 software. Funnel plot and at the 5% significance level, Egger’s test were used to check for publication bias.ResultFrom a total of 15 studies with 4331 study participants, the pooled prevalence of malnutrition in critically ill children was 37.19% (95% CI; 35.89–38.49) with a significant statistical heterogeneity (I2 = 98.6, P = < 0.0001). High income countries reported the lower pooled prevalence of malnutrition among critically ill children (30.14%, 95% CI; 28.41, 31.88). No publication bias was reported and sensitivity analysis suggested that no significance difference was shown in the prevalence of malnutrition among critically ill children with the pooled prevalence.ConclusionThe current systematic review and meta-analysis showed that more than one in three critically ill children was malnourished. Serious medical conditions in children that deserve admission to the intensive care unit could be a complication of malnutrition that may end up in deaths unless the undernutrition is addressed together with critical care intervention. Hence, specific strategies to prevent malnutrition among this neglected segment should be integrated with the existing healthcare systems and nutritional programs.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
