Poor Nutritional Status Of Children Research Articles

Socio-demographic factors and parental feeding practices predicted body mass index of Malaysian children with learning disabilities

Introduction: Overweight and obesity have emerged as significant global health concerns among children. Previous studies have provided evidence that children with intellectual and learning disabilities (LD) are at a higher risk of obesity compared to their peers without disabilities. Methods: This study aimed to predict body weight status of children with LD who attended Special Education Integration Program in Kelantan, located on East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Parents completed a self-administered questionnaire in Malay language, which included “Screening Tool of Feeding Problems” children’s version (STEP-CHILD) and Comprehensive Feeding Practice Questionnaire (CFPQ). The children’s body weight and height were measured to determine body mass index (BMI). Research hypothesis was tested through stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. Results: This study recruited 245 subjects with mean age of 10.5±1.7 years and mean BMI of 18.5±4.9 kg/m2. Prevalence of underweight, thinness and severe thinness was 12.2%, while overweight and obesity was 29.0%. Male children with LD (β=0.109, p<0.044), older age (β=0.226, p<0.001), higher child birth weight (β=0.119, p<0.029), lack of parental modelling (β=-0.170, p=0.004), lower parental pressure (β=-0.266, p<0.001), and higher restriction for weight control (β=0.361, p<0.001) were found to predict higher BMI values. Conclusion: Positive parental feeding practices during mealtime are crucial for addressing the poor nutritional status of children with LD.

PICKY EATING BEHAVIOR ON THE INCIDENT OF STUNTING IN CHILDREN TODDLERS IN TIRTOMOYO, WONOGIRI

<p class="Default"><strong>Background: </strong>The process of development and growth during toddlerhood is determined by the food consumed every day. Giving the body the appropriate nutrition it needs will produce good development. However, various obstacles often occur, such as eating disorders in children. One of the eating disorders in children is the habit of refusing food and being picky about food, often called picky eating, which will have an impact on their nutritional status. Thin or poor nutritional status in children under five can put them at risk of stunting. Stunting is a physical growth disorder characterized by a decrease in growth rate and the impact of a nutritional imbalance.</p><p class="Default"><strong>Methods: </strong>This research is quantitative, with a type of observational analytical research. This research was conducted from January to October 2023 in Tirtomoyo, Wonogiri, with a population of 55 children and a sample of 50 children. A questionnaire was developed by researchers based on the Picky Eating Behavior Rating Scale and Transcultural Nursing Theory. Whereas the connection between variables is analyzed using the analysis of simple linear regression through ANOVA and power tables, the influence between variables is observed through the model summary table on value correlation (R). The license number of research is 071/277.</p><p class="Default"><strong>Result: </strong>There is an influence of the behavior of picky eaters against the incidence of stunting among toddlers in the Tirtomoyo, Wonogiri, with a level of significance (Sig.) of 0.004 and a value coefficient determination (R square) of 0.164.</p><p class="Default"><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The behavior of picky eaters can influence the incidence of stunting in children.</p><p class="Default"> </p><p><strong>Keywords: </strong><em>Behavior picky food (Picky Eating), Stunting, Toddlers</em></p>

Analysis of Factors Associated with Nutritional Status in School-Age Children at SD Negeri 10 Benteng Sidrap Regency

Nutrition is very important in growth and development. Good nutritional status requires more attention because poor nutritional status in children will affect mental, physical growth or thinking abilities, of course, will reduce the level of productivity and ability in adulthood. The aim of this research is to determine the factors associated with the nutritional status of school- age children at SD Negeri 10 Benteng Sidrap Regency. Quantitative research method with a cross sectional study design. The sample consisted of 158 students at SD Negeri 10 Benteng. Data was collected using questionnaires and measurements of body weight and height. Data analysis used the Chi Square Test with a 95% confidence level. The results of this study show that there is a relationship between income with p value = 0.000, knowledge about nutrition with p value = 0.000, parents' education with p value = 0.000, parents' occupation with p value = 0.025, students' snack habits with p value = 0,000, with the student's nutritional status. The conclusion is that the factors that influence nutritional status are income, knowledge about nutritional status, parental education, parental occupation, parental characteristics and snack habits.

Nutritional Status of Toddlers on Mothers' Knowledge About Worm Infections in the Working Area of Kassi Kassi Health Center Makassar

Nutrition is very important in growth and development. Good nutritional status requires more attention because poor nutritional status in children will affect mental, physical growth or thinking abilities, of course, will reduce the level of productivity and ability in adulthood. The aim of this research is to determine the factors associated with the nutritional status of school- age children at SD Negeri 10 Benteng Sidrap Regency. Quantitative research method with a cross sectional study design. The sample consisted of 158 students at SD Negeri 10 Benteng. Data was collected using questionnaires and measurements of body weight and height. Data analysis used the Chi Square Test with a 95% confidence level. The results of this study show that there is a relationship between income with p value = 0.000, knowledge about nutrition with p value = 0.000, parents' education with p value = 0.000, parents' occupation with p value = 0.025, students' snack habits with p value = 0,000, with the student's nutritional status. The conclusion is that the factors that influence nutritional status are income, knowledge about nutritional status, parental education, parental occupation, parental characteristics and snack habits.

Relationship of stunting with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices among children under the age of five: a cross-sectional study in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

BackgroundReasons for undernutrition are food insufficiency, impaired child care, limited access to healthcare, and maternal lack of health literacy. In addition, there are several environmental factors, such as drinking water quality, poor sanitation, and hygienic practices that can lead to poor nutritional status in children. The present study aimed to compare household-associated risk factors, including water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices of mothers, with children’s stunting under the age of five.MethodsA face-to-face cross-sectional survey was conducted with mothers of children under the age of five in the Dera Ghazi Khan district in southern Punjab, Pakistan. World Health Organization criteria for stunting were used to identify the participants. A sociodemographic questionnaire was used to collect information from consented parents/guardians on children’s age, feeding, and WASH practices. Pearson’s chi-square, simple regression, and hierarchical regression models were applied for data analysis.ResultsA total of 204 mothers of children of both genders participated in this study. The children’s mean (SD) age was 15.67 (± 10.2) months, their weight was 5.44 (± 1.45) kg, their height was 67.69 (± 10.05), and their mid-upper arm circumference was 9.75 (± 1.30) cm. Children’s stunting was mild (z-score > -2) at 17.6%, moderate (z-score − 2 to -3) at 16.7%, and severe (z-score < -3) at 65.7% of participants. A simple regression model showed a strong association, r2 = 0.062, p = 0.013, with age as the most significant sociodemographic factor. The hierarchical regression model showed a combined value of r2 = 0.0128, p = 0.027, with hand pump and tank water as the significant source of drinking water that was related to stunting among children.ConclusionStunting can be associated with several risk factors, including WASH parameters. This study concluded that children aged under five years are susceptible to stunting in southern Punjab, Pakistan. The contamination of hand pumps and tank water resources was found to be the major contributing factor to stunting.

Contribution of school meals to the recommended nutrient and energy intake of children enrolled in the National Homegrown School Feeding Program in Zaria, Nigeria

BackgroundA poor nutritional status in children results in reduced physical and mental health and poor academic performance. The National Homegrown School Feeding Program (NHSFP) was introduced in Nigeria in 2016 to ameliorate short-term hunger and improve the nutritional status of school-aged children (SAC). At least 33% of the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) for the enrolled students should be met by the school meals. However, to our knowledge, the contribution of school meals served through the NHSFP to the RNI of SAC in Zaria, Nigeria, remains to be explored. MethodsWe conducted a school-based cross-sectional study among 276 eligible SAC recruited from public primary schools in the Zaria Local Government Area. Portion sizes of the meals served through the NHSFP were determined using an electronic scale, meal samples were collected for nutrient analysis, and the average daily nutrient intake of the participants from the meals was calculated. The average daily intake of nutrients and energy of the participants was compared with the age- and sex-specific RNI to estimate the percentage contribution of the meals. ResultsThe portion sizes recorded were 199.3 ± 20.6 g, 263.9 ± 11.5 g, 242.1 ± 16.8 g, 311 ± 17.3 g, and 160.3 ± 1.9 mL, respectively, for moi-moi, jollof rice and beans, bean porridge, jollof rice and boiled egg, and yoghurt. In addition, the meals contained moisture (30.13–66.11%), ash (0.73–7.08%), crude fat (9–32.61%), crude protein (7.25–24.5%), crude fiber (0–2.45%), and total carbohydrate (2.19–29.74%) with an energy content ranging from 183.6 to 330.57 kcal. Similarly, the meals contained calcium (82.58—711 mg), potassium (133–797 mg), sodium (340–1720 mg), iron (0.078–8.60 mg), zinc (1.84–13.4 mg), vitamin A (2.38–100.56 RAE), and vitamin C (0.04–1.57 mg) per 100 g of the school meals. The meals contributed 18.2–19.1%, 102.8–183.7%, 13.04–13.6%, and 26.1%–35.8% of the RNI for carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, and energy, respectively. Furthermore, they contributed 137–175%, 314.3–502.2%, 87.6–142.1%, 21.5–25.1%, 279.2–348.5%, 3.3–5.9%, 24.7–48.8%, and 3.3–5.9% of the RNI for iron, zinc, calcium, potassium, sodium, vitamin A, and vitamin C, respectively. ConclusionThe meals served through the NHSFP contributed at least 33% of the RNI for energy, protein, iron, calcium, sodium, vitamin A, and zinc. However, they could not meet the 33% of the RNI for carbohydrates, fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. Increasing the portion sizes and the diversity of the meals can address the suboptimal contribution of the meals to the RNI for carbohydrates, fiber, potassium, and vitamin C.

The Relationship between Nutritional Status and Shortness of Breath in Children with Pneumonia at Mappi General Hospital, Indonesia

The relationship between nutritional status and shortness of breath in childhood pneumonia is an important concern in the management and management of this disease. Poor nutritional status in children can influence their immune system, making them more susceptible to infections such as pneumonia. This study aimed to determine the relationship between nutritional status and the incidence of shortness of breath in children with pneumonia at Mappi General Hospital, Indonesia. This study is a cross-sectional analytic observational study. A total of 49 research subjects were included in this study. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS using univariate and bivariate relationships between nutritional status and the incidence of shortness of breath in pneumonia patients. The majority of pneumonia patients with malnutrition experienced symptoms of shortness of breath compared to pneumonia patients with normal nutrition, p&lt;0.05. There is a significant relationship between poor nutritional status and the incidence of shortness of breath in pediatric patients with pneumonia.

Edukasi Gizi Seimbang Dan Pemantauan Status Gizi Anak Usia 0-2 Tahun Pada Suku Anak Dalam (SAD) Desa Bukit Suban Kecamatan Air Hitam Kabupaten Sarolangun

Good nutritional status of toddlers plays an important role in growth and development, especially during the golden period in the first five years. Poor nutritional status of children under five can have a negative impact on physical and mental growth, decreased body resistance, and a more serious impact is the emergence of disability, high morbidity and accelerated mortality. Based on data from the Jambi Province Dinsosnakertrans (2010), one of the health problems that often occurs in the SAD community is the low nutritional status. Problems of poverty, low levels of education and lack of knowledge in the SAD community make them susceptible to diseases that also have an impact on their nutritional status. Efforts that can be made to improve nutrition improvement programs in remote indigenous communities are to provide education and information to all tribal communities in Bukit Suban Village about the importance of balanced nutrition by making food sources that exist in nature and easy for them to find as examples and then teach how to process them. food so that it can be consumed and still contains good nutritional value. Furthermore, monitoring the nutritional status of toddlers by measuring and weighing the toddler's weight. Based on interviews with people who initially did not know about good balanced nutrition for children, now they know a little and they also know how to use food ingredients that are in their environment and how to process food properly and hygienically. undernutrition by 31.25%

Poshan Sanjha Chulah approach: impact on nutrition status of children aged 6-59 months in urban slum of Bhopal city

Background: The National Family Health Survey-5 reveals the prevalence of stunting 35.5%, underweight 32.1%, and wasting 19.3% among under 5 children. Madhya Pradesh reported stunting, underweight, and wasting 37.5%, 33%, and 19% respectively which is higher than national average.Methods: A community based approach “Poshan Sanjha Chulah (PSC)” was introduced to address underweight among the children of Bhopal Urban slums, Madhya Pradesh. PSC programme aimed at achieving weight gain by 400 gm in a month and 900 gm by the end of 3rd month. Additional energy 600-800 kcal, protein 25-27 gm, and iron-10 mg and other nutrients were provided during this programme. The counselling visits were made to children in every 15 days until 3 months followed by monthly visits until 12 months by community health workers.Results: The PSC Programme was implemented in the communities with the prevalence of underweight children more than 30 percent. This study was conducted on 224 children which includes 39 (7.5%) severe underweight and 185 (35.5%) moderate underweight children. At the end of the PSC programme the mean weight gain was 328 gm for all children. In a period of 6 months, the boys and girls gained mean weight of 2325 gm and 2225 gm respectively. The highest weight gain was observed in the age group of 13-24 months on the 12th day. At the end of 6th month 164 children (73.2%) graduated to normal nutrition category (≥-2 SD).Conclusions: Underweight has become a major concern of public health particularly in developing countries. Prevalence of underweight not only indicates the poor nutritional status of children but also reflects the poor socio-economic condition of the families.

Bentuk dan Peran Kapital Sosial dalam Percepatan Penurunan Stunting di Desa Pandawangi, Lombok Timur

The Poor nutritional status of children under five years of age remains a major concern in Indonesia. Based on RISKESDAS (Basic Health Survey) 2018, NTB province was listed as one of the 10 provinces with the highest stunting rates in Indonesia with 33,49 children are stunted, and Lombok Timur district was the highest stunting in NTB with prevalence reached 43, 5 %. Considering the long-lasting effects of child malnutrition, the district government of Lombok Timur put stunting reduction program as a priority. In 2017, Pandanwangi village was selected as one pilot village for implementing the national strategy to accelerate stunting prevention and reduction. Pandanwangi village successfully implemented integrated approach dealing with stunting reduction through specific and sensitive nutrition intervention. The aim of the study was to identify the form and role of social capital on stunting reduction program activities in Pandanwangi village. This was a qualitative study on collecting information from informants the health and non-health sector. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation and focus group discussion. The results showed that several forms of social capital included in social bonding, bridging, linking and played a role in the acceleration of the decline in stunting. Based on the research results, each type of social capital plays an important role in creating a enabling environment in stunting reduction efforts. The results of the study also showed a synergy between various forms of social capital that allowed the community to accelerate stunting reduction in Pandawangi Village.

Maternal postpartum depression in relation to child undernutrition in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Perinatal (antenatal and postpartum) depression is increasingly becoming a global public health problem. Studies have shown that the presence of depression during the perinatal period impact on a mother's ability to adequately provide nutritional care for herself and her infants and young children. This may thus negatively influence the nutritional status of these vulnerable children resulting in poor growth, such as stunting which is currently a public health problem in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the association between maternal postpartum depression and child growth in LMICs. Electronic databases were systematically reviewed by screening abstracts, titles, full text and additional data sources of eligible papers. Articles were eligible for inclusion if based on children aged 0 to 59months, if reporting maternal postpartum depression as an exposure, if based on observational studies evaluating the relation between maternal postpartum depression and child growth, if reporting at least one physical growth indicator such as stunting as an outcome, and if published after 2000. Article selection was based on the PRISMA guidelines for reporting systematic reviews. Twelve articles were included in the quantitative synthesis (12 for stunting, 8 for underweight and 2 for wasting). Maternal postpartum depression was observed to be associated with an increased risk of child stunting (1.87 (95% CI: 1.52, 2.30; I2 = 41.6%, p = 0.064)) and underweight (1.81 (95% Cl: 1.25, 2.62; I2 = 70.7%, p = 0.001)). These results were confirmed after influence analyses, with publication bias being negligible. Conclusion: Maternal depression is a risk factor for poor child growth in LMICs. This study contributes to the knowledge on this topic and calls on policymakers to improve on its understanding, screening and treatment to alleviate the potential negative impact on child growth. What is Known: • Maternal postpartum depression is currently a public health relevance in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). • Maternal postpartum depression is a risk factor for poor nutritional status in children from LMICs. What is New: • Maternal postpartum depression is associated with an 80 to 90% increased risk of childhood stunting and underweight in LMICs. • The association between risk of childhood stunting and underweight with maternal postpartum depression is slightly influenced by geographical area, rural or urban location, by factors such as study design, study quality and sample size.

Implementation of a nutrition screening tool to improve nutritional status of children with cancer in Singapore’s largest paediatric hospital

Poor nutritional status in children with cancer can impact treatment outcomes and mortality. Nutrition screening is a simple yet effective approach to identify malnutrition risk for early intervention. We aim...

Infant and Child Feeding Index and nutritional status of children aged 6 to 24 months in a Metropolitan city.

Background:The nutritional status of children is influenced by feeding practices. Infant and Child Feeding Index (ICFI) is an age-specific composite index to assess the feeding practices of children.Objectives:To determine the association between ICFI and the nutritional status of children aged 6 to 24 months. To find whether ICFI has value as a tool for detecting poor nutritional status. To determine the association of ICFI and nutritional status with sociodemographic and other factors.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in the urban field practice area of a tertiary care institute among 149 children aged 6 to 24 months and their mothers. Data on feeding practices were obtained and ICFI scores were calculated. The weight and length of the children were measured and Z scores (WAZ, LAZ, and WLZ) were calculated. A Chi-square test was used to find the association between the categorical variables.Results:We found no association between ICFI and any of the three nutritional indicators such as WAZ, LAZ, and WLZ. The sensitivity of the ICFI was low for detecting underweight (10.0%), stunting (29.4%), and wasting (11.1%). ICFI was significantly associated with the growth monitoring of children and mothers' education. WAZ was significantly associated with mother's education and socioeconomic class.Conclusions:There is no association between ICFI and the nutritional status of children. ICFI has limited value in detecting the poor nutritional status of children in this urban setting. Maternal education and growth monitoring of children play an important role in infant and child feeding practices.

Assessment of Malnutrition among Students of Various Districts of West Bengal: A Review

According to World Health Organization (WHO), “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely an absence of disease”. Energy is required for all physiological processes which are made available through breakdown of complex food materials consumed on daily basis. The nutrition available through food consumption is closely related to the overall health and well being of a person. In the state of West Bengal, poor nutritional status of children, especially in rural areas is becoming a major cause of concern. Not only does it contribute to overall underperformance in schools (including increasing school drop outs), it also predisposes these children towards increasing chances of getting Non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes. Thus this study analysed published reports on nutritional status of children in various districts of the state West Bengal. For this purpose, the study explored the district-wise malnutrition scenario among primary/upper primary students in West Bengal. It was indicated that only less than one fourth students had appropriate or ideal nutritional status and rest were in various stages of food deprivation which is a matter of great concern.

Impact of Socioeconomic Profile on Nutritional Status of School Children

Objectives: To study the effect of socioeconomic factors such as birth order, family size, family type, parent’s education level and family income on nutritional status of school children.&#x0D; Methods: It was a cross sectional survey conducted at Madurai district, Tamil Nadu to assess the effect of socioeconomic factors on nutritional status of school going children age of 5-6 years belonging to different socio economic classes of the society. Systematic random sampling technique was applied to collect the sample. The interview schedule was used to collect the background information regarding caste, type of family, family size, number of children and educational status of parents, occupation and income. Body Mass Index in relation to WHO reference child growth standard was used for assessing nutritional status.&#x0D; Results: Out of 60 children 30.00, 53.33 and 5.00 per cent children had mild, moderate and severe malnutrition respectively. Majority of malnourished children belonged to 3rd (51.66%) and 4th (30%) order of birth. The mild (28.33%) and moderate malnutrition (51.67%) children belonged to medium size family. The severely malnourished belonged to medium and large size family are 3.33 and 1.67 per cent respectively. Majority of the Mild (8.33%) moderate (23.33%) and severe (3.33%) malnutrition children belonged to mothers who were illiterate. Five per cent of children were severely malnourished and 18.33 per cent of children were moderately malnourished from the income range of ₹ 6000 to 7000.&#x0D; Conclusion: The present study shows that the prevalence of malnutrition was significantly higher in school children age of 5-6 years. Poverty, low literacy rate, large families, women’s education appears to be the important underlying factors responsible for poor nutritional status of children (p&lt;0.05).The malnutrition is higher in children of illiterate mothers because of lack of knowledge on importance of healthy diet.

Severe acute malnutrition and its associated factors among children under-five years: a facility-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundDespite consistent efforts to enhance child nutrition, poor nutritional status of children continues to be a major public health problem in Nepal. This study identified the predictors of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among children aged 6 to 59 months in the two districts of Nepal.MethodsWe used data from a cross-sectional study conducted among 6 to 59 months children admitted to the Outpatient Therapeutic Care Centers (OTCC). The nutritional status of children was assessed using mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurement. To determine which variables predict the occurrence of SAM, adjusted odds ratio was computed using multivariate logistic regression and p-value < 0.05 was considered as significant.ResultsOut of 398 children, 5.8% were severely malnourished and the higher percentage of female children were malnourished. Multivariate analysis showed that severe acute malnutrition was significantly associated with family size (five or more members) (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 3.96; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.23–12.71). Children from severely food insecure households (AOR: 4.04; 95% CI: 1.88–10.53) were four times more likely to be severely malnourished. Higher odds of SAM were found among younger age-group (AOR: 12.10; 95% CI: 2.06–71.09) children (0–12 vs. 24–59 months).ConclusionsThe findings of this study indicated that household size, household food access, and the child’s age were the major predictors of severe acute malnutrition. Engaging poor families in kitchen gardening to ensure household food access and nutritious diet to the children, along with health education and promotion to the mothers of young children are therefore recommended to reduce child undernutrition.

Birth interval and childhood undernutrition: Evidence from a large scale survey in India

BackgroundThe study of birth interval is important for maternal and child health. The long birth interval is favorable for maternal, child health, and nutritional outcomes. The present study is an attempt to explore the relationship between birth intervals and poor nutritional condition of children under five years of age in India. MethodsThe unit of analysis is children under five years of age in India. The data come from the fourth round of Indian National Family Health Survey, 2015–2016. Bivariate and logistic regression model were used to explore the relationship between birth intervals and the poor nutritional status of children. ResultsThe logistic regression shows a 28% increase in stunting for those children born with a birth interval of less than 24 months. Also, there is a 26% increase in underweight for children of birth interval less than 24 months. It is evident that low birth weight, poor facilities during pregnancy are statistically associated with poor nutritional status of children. ConclusionTherefore, the present study attempts to determine to what extent the length of preceding birth interval influences the child undernutrition and the result revealed that short birth intervals are associated with an increased risk of child stunting and underweight even after controlling the biological, social and behavioral predictors. The study suggests that interventions that aim to increase birth intervals, including family planning and reproductive health services, may be important in improving nutritional status in children.

Covid-19 and long term conditions: what if you have cancer, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease?

Poor nutritional status in children with cancer can impact treatment outcomes and mortality. Nutrition screening is a simple yet effective approach to identify malnutrition risk for early intervention. We aim to improve the identification of children with cancer at high risk of malnutrition, so that nutritional intervention and rehabilitation can commence early for these children. Our multidisciplinary team conducted a root cause analysis and concluded that the generic screening tool did not differentiate malnutrition risk for different cancer types, stage and intensity of treatment. Hence, a screening tool that considered the identified factors was tested for reliability and validity first. Subsequently, we used the Plan, Do, Study, Act model with two improvement cycles to put in place a systematic process to facilitate the implementation. The interventions included (1) instituting the tool in the electronic medical records and (2) direct referral to dietitian based on screening score. We compared pre- and post-implementation cohorts and demonstrated better identification of nutritionally at-risk patients (36.4%–85.7%, p&lt;0.001) with the new tool as well as improved timeliness of nutritional intervention (3 days to 1 day from admission, p=0.010). A lower malnutrition rate (17.4%–6.5%, p&lt;0.001) in the postimplementation cohort was also demonstrated. Nutritional intervention within 48 hours of admission led to an overall positive weight change at 3 months (+2.68%, IQR: −1.14 to 9.09 vs −0.43%, −6.60 to 2.29; p=0.036) in the malnourished patients from both cohorts. Further studies will be conducted to evaluate the scale of the effectiveness of early intervention and close nutritional monitoring, in improving the nutritional status of children with cancer. The collaborative partnership among the doctors, nurses and dietitians has helped to streamline and simplify nutrition screening, making it an efficient and sustainable system in our hospital.

Assessment of the Infant Feeding Age 1 to 12 Months in a Hospital Setting in Antananarivo

Introduction In developing countries such as Madagascar, malnutrition remains a major public health problem. Our objective was to study the feeding of infants aged 1 to 12 months, passing through the pediatric ward of the Joseph Raseta Befelatanana University Hospital Center. Methods We conducted a prospective cross-sectional survey based on interviews with mothers of visiting or hospitalized children over a period of 3 months. Results One hundred mothers were interviewed; 46 of the babies were less than 6 months old. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding for children under 6 months of age is 83%. During diversification, the socio-economic level is the most discriminated factor causing errors with a p < 0.01845 for vegetable intake and p < 0.02419 for meat intake. It was mainly the error in oil or butter intake that was correlated with poor nutritional status of children during the diversification period with a p < 0.0077. Conclusion Many of the errors found during diversification affected the nutritional status of children. A nutritional education adapted to the Malagasy context would be essential.

Relationship between vaccination and nutritional status in children: Analysis of recent Demographic and Health Surveys

Background: A body of evidence suggests that vaccines support the development of the immune system and also improve overall health. Objective: To study the effect of the complete basic vaccination schedule (Bacille Calmette-Guerin, i.e., BCG; measles; polio 3; and Diphtheria, Tetanus toxoids, and Pertussis, i.e., DTP3) on nutritional status of children under 2 years of age. Methods: Recent DHS data from 16 countries conducted after 2013 were used. After a bivariate descriptive analysis, a logistic regression analysis was conducted to predict the likelihood of underweight, stunting, and wasting by immunization status. A combined odds ratio was computed and adjusted for background variables. Results: A significantly higher prevalence of underweight was found among children with incomplete vaccination schedules in seven countries. Similarly, wasting and stunting were frequently observed in under-vaccinated children in four countries. Moreover, logistic regression adjusted for background variables revealed a relation between incomplete vaccination and underweight in Angola, Chad, and Guatemala (95% CI lower bound > 1). Combining data of all countries, underweight (adjusted Odds Ratio, aOR 1.21, 95% CI 1.11‒1.31), wasting (aOR 1.18, 95% CI 1.05‒1.33), and stunting (aOR 1.07, 95% CI 1.00‒1.14) were associated with poor vaccination status. The overall effect was consistent with both sexes except the results for wasting for females and stunting for males, though insignificant. Contribution: To our knowledge, this is the first paper assessing the relation between vaccination and nutritional status at a multi-country level with a huge dataset. Our analysis suggests a poor nutritional status in children with an incomplete vaccination schedule.