Prevalence Of Malnutrition In Children Research Articles

Nutritional Screening and Assessment, and Quality of Life in Children with Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study in Mainland China

PurposeTo apply Screening Tool for Risk on Nutritional status and Growth (STRONGkids) and the subjective global nutritional assessment (SGNA) for evaluating nutritional status, to identify the disease-related and demographic-related factors of malnutrition, and to examine the relationship between nutritional status and quality of life (QOL) in children with cancer during chemotherapy in mainland China. Design and methodsChildren, ages 2–18, with a leukemia, lymphoma, or solid tumor diagnosis were recruited from a top cancer center in Guangzhou, China. Socio-demographic information, clinical information were collected, while nutritional status using SGNA, malnutrition risk using STRONGkids, and QOL of these children were measured. Descriptive analyses, Chi2-tests, ANOVA and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze data. ResultsAmong included participants, 55.8% of them were malnourished, and 74.2% of them had moderate to high risk of malnutrition. The overall QOL and subscales were associated with nutritional status. In the logistic-regression model, high malnutrition risk, patients' mother having primary school education or less, worse physical functioning quality of life, and lower BMI level were strongly associated with malnutrition. ConclusionsThe prevalence of malnutrition in children with cancer is high, which related to worse QOL. Patients' BMI, physical functioning QOL and mothers' educational level could help to predict their nutritional status. Practice implicationsSTRONGkids and SGNA could be widely used in mainland China. Health professionals should pay attention to patients with lower BMI and physical functioning scores, and patients' mother having primary school education or less.

An epidemiological study of malnutrition in children from six months to five years of age to assess the prevalence and factors related to it, in a rural area of Palghar district of Maharashtra

Background: High economic growth in India in the last two decades has unfortunately not been translated into satisfactory progress on reducing hunger and malnutrition. The study aims to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in children from 6 months to five years of age, to find out the socio-demographic, environmental and other factors associated with acute malnutrition and to suggest appropriate recommendations based on observations.Methods: The area selected for the study is the rural field practice area of Topiwala National Medical College. The study population taken for this was children between the ages of 6 months to 5 years. The study was a community based descriptive cross-sectional epidemiological study.Results: In the study area, 56.30% children were underweight, 52.96% were stunted and 27.8% were wasted. Majority of the children (96.7%) in this area were Hindu. Majority of the children belong to class IV of socioeconomic class (Modified B.G.Prasad). Maximum children (28.15%) were in the age group of 25 to 36 months. 67.78% children were living in joint families. About 79% mothers were literate at least up to primary education.Conclusion: The prevalence of malnutrition among all 3 forms i. e underweight, stunting, wasting was slightly more among male children as compared to females, and this can be taken as a positive sign for female child. The literacy rate was quite satisfactory; the diet of children was inadequate for calories and proteins as well as micronutrients.

Malnutrition and associated factors among quilombola children under 60 months of age in two cities of the state of Maranhão, Brazil.

To evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition in children under 60 months of age living in quilombo remnant communities of two municipalities in the state of Maranhão and their associated factors. This is a cross-sectional study conducted with a sample of 372 children in August 2015. Socioeconomic, demographic, maternal and child information were collected. The anthropometry followed the one proposed by the World Health Organization. Height-for-age and weight-for-height rates were calculated using Anthro software version 3.2.2. Poisson regression was performed with a robust variance for the association of malnutrition with the studied variables, using Stata software version 14.0. Child malnutrition was high for height-for-age (15.1%) and weight-for-height (7%). Children whose mothers had a short height (< 1.497 m) were more likely to have height-for-age deficits (p < 0.05). No variables were statistically associated with low weight-for-height. Child malnutrition persists as a public health problem in vulnerable regions, and maternal factors such as low maternal height may explain the short stature of the children. The need for actions to address this nutritional deviation is pointed out.

Availability of balanced nutrition at the level of scientific basis for norms of all layers of the population of Ukraine

The basis of all life processes of the human body is a constant metabolism between the body and the environment. From the environment, people consume oxygen, water and food. The role of food is to replenish energy and tissue elements necessary for growth, development and functioning of the body, ensuring metabolic processes, normal health and efficiency. Rational nutrition (ratio – reasonable) is a physiologically complete nutrition of healthy people taking into account their age, sex, nature of work and other factors. Nutritional nutrition contributes to maintaining good health, resistance to harmful environmental factors, high physical and mental capacity, as well as active longevity. The article is devoted to the issues of accessibility to a balanced diet at the level of scientifically substantiated norms of the population of Ukraine. The main problems of mankind are covered, such as: poverty, hunger, malnutrition and food security, etc. Based on statistics for the last few years, the article has calculated and reflected such indicators as: the level of poverty in Ukraine according to national accounts and the upper poverty level of $ 5.50. US per day according to the World Bank, %, the dynamics of indicators of meat consumption in Ukraine, the compliance of indicators of meat consumption in Ukraine with rational standards, etc. The importance of solving problematic issues of food security, which affects the level of socio-economic development of society and countries in general, the ratio of production, consumption and demand for sugar and oil in Ukraine, the prevalence of malnutrition in children and adults in Ukraine, the ratio of nutrition standards in secondary schools for one-time nutrition of students and the physiological needs of the population of Ukraine in basic nutrients and energy. The concept of rational nutrition is revealed. The state of food security determines, in particular, the level of food security, is the key to socio-economic development of society. For the world agricultural system there is a growing trend in declining inventories, rising prices, increasing differences in the level of agricultural development in countries with economic crises and globalization. The availability of a balanced diet at the level of scientifically sound standards for all segments of the population is also considered, which today is one of the main challenges of our time, which gives our study importance and significance.

Does cereal, protein and micronutrient availability hold the key to the malnutrition conundrum? An exploratory analysis of cereal cultivation and wasting patterns of India

Background: High prevalence of maternal malnutrition, low birth-weight and child malnutrition in India contribute substantially to the global malnutrition burden. Rural India has disproportionately higher levels of child malnutrition. Stunting and wasting are the primary determinants of malnutrition and their district-level distribution shows clustering in different geographies and regions. Methods: The last round of National Family Health Survey (NFHS4) has disaggregated data by district, enabling a more nuanced understanding of the prevalence of markers of malnutrition. We used data from NFHS4 and agricultural statistics datasets to analyse relationship of cereal cultivation with the prevalence of child malnutrition. We studied the current science on growth-related nutrient-sensing pathways to explain this pattern. Results: Stunting and wasting patterns across districts show a distinct geographical and age distribution; districts with higher wasting showed early prevalence of 40% at six months of age. Wasting was associated with higher cultivation of millets, with a stronger association seen for jowar and other millets. Low maternal BMI in districts with higher wasting could be linked to the consumption of millets as staple. We conceptualised a hypothetical schematic pathway linking early origin of wasting in children with millet-based diet, driven by inhibition of critical intra-cellular pathways controlling growth covering pre-natal, post-natal and early childhood. The analysis was limited by lack of fine-scale data on prevalence of low birth-weight and type of cereal consumed. Conclusions: Multi-site observational studies of long-term effects of type of cereals consumed could help explain the ecogeographic distribution of malnutrition in India. Cereals, particularly millets constitute the bulk of protein intake among the poor, especially in rural areas in India where wasting persists. Policies and programs targeting malnutrition need to address type of cereal consumed in order to impact childhood malnutrition in parts of India where subsistence cultivation of millets for staple consumption is prevalent.

COMPARISON STUDY ABOUT DETERMINANTS OF CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS MALNUTRITION BETWEEN INDIGENOUS AND NON-INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES IN INDONESIA

Many studies reveal the determinant factor of children under five years of malnutrition problem in Indonesia. However, there is only a few analysis conducted on indigenous communities and its comparison to non-indigenous communities. This study analyzes the determinant factors of malnutrition in children under five years in indigenous communities (Suku Baduy) and non-indigenous communities. This study is a comparative study using cross-sectional data, where the samples are households that have children under five years in indigenous communities (n=60) and in non-indigenous communities (n=60), with sample techniques using purposive random sampling. To calculate nutrition status, this study uses the anthropometric index based on weight-for-age according to WHO standards presented in the Z-score and Standard Deviations (SD). The result of this study indicates that the prevalence of children under five years suffering from malnutrition in indigenous communities is lower than in non-indigenous communities, which is 21,7% to 43,3%. Two factors influence the high prevalence of malnutrition in children under five years, namely, the education of the head of a family with OR=0.120 (95%C1: 0.021-0.675) and prenatal care in the fourth trimester with OR 9.890 (95%C1: 1.349-72.531). It is necessary to increase public knowledge on balanced nutrition in children under five years and improved maternal health access to resolve children under five years of malnutrition in those communities.

Nutritional Status and Associated Factors Among Preschool Children in Bahir Dar City Administration, Northern Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study

The issue of child malnutrition is decisive as its characteristics are not restricted to the boundary of childhood but rather persist into adulthood. It is also a sober public health problem in which the recent report in the country showed 25% of children were underweight, 9% wasted and 38% stunted. However, underlying variations of these nutritional indicators and determinant factors among localities are poorly understood. Therefore, the main objective of the study is to assess the prevalence of child malnutrition, their causes, and related factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bahir Dar on a total of 615 preschool-age children from February to May 2018. A multistage systematic sampling method was employed to collect quantitative data using a structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurements. The information was processed using Epi-Info 3.5.4 software and exported to SPSS 20 for analysis. NCHS reference population was used to convert height and weight measurements into Z-scores. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis techniques were employed to identify associated factors with nutritional status. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The study indicated 7% of the children were wasted, 30.9% stunted, and 18.7% underweight. The bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that family income [AOR=.233 at 95% CI (.085-.637)], number of under-five children [AOR=2.618 at 95% CI (1.751-9.124)], source of water [AOR=2.852 at 95% CI (1.029-7.901)], paternal education [AOR=4.19 at 95% CI (1.298-13.527)], maternal education [AOR=2.740 at 95% CI (1.193-6.294)], and family head [AOR=.421 at 95% CI (.233-.762)], were positively associated with underweight. Chronic nutritional problems (stunting) and underweight were highly prevalent in Bahir Dar compared to the urban areas of neighbouring countries while the acute nutritional problem was at an intermediate level. To intervene in this problem, a community-based nutrition program should be established. Additionally, nutritional education should get a high emphasis to improve the nutritional status of children.

Trends in age- and sex-adjusted body mass index and the prevalence of malnutrition in children with cancer over 42 months after diagnosis: a single-center cohort study

The adequate nutritional status of pediatric cancer patients is particularly important to enable them to cope with the demands of the disease and its treatment and to maintain normal growth. Malnutrition and obesity have both been associated with reduced survival and increased drug toxicity. We investigated trends in the age- and sex-adjusted body mass index (ISO-BMI) and the prevalence of malnutrition in a Finnish cohort of 139 consecutive children receiving chemotherapy for cancer, with a follow-up period of 42 months after diagnosis. In total, 28% (39/139) of the patients experienced malnutrition (ISO-BMI < 17 or > 10% weight loss), and 12% (16/139) had a nasogastric tube or underwent gastrostomy. Patients with acute or chronic myeloid leukemia (5/10), central nervous system (CNS) tumors (5/13), or solid tumors (13/31) most frequently suffered from malnutrition. There was a significant increase in the ISO-BMI of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (+ 2.1 kg/m2) and lymphomas (+ 2.4 kg/m2) during the first 6 months, and the ISO-BMI of patients with ALL remained higher at 42 months compared to baseline (+ 1.9 kg/m2).Conclusion: The cumulative incidence of malnutrition in Finnish pediatric cancer patients is comparable to that reported in other populations. The nutritional status of patients with acute myeloid leukemia, CNS tumors, or solid tumors should be monitored with extra care to facilitate early intervention in the case of impending malnutrition.What is known:• Both malnutrition and obesity are associated with reduced survival and increased drug toxicity in pediatric cancer patients.What is new:• Overall, 28 % of Finnish children receiving chemotherapy for cancer suffer from malnutrition during the first 42 months following the initial cancer diagnosis. • ISO-BMI curves from initial diagnosis to 42 months after diagnosis are provided for patients with different types of cancer.

Prevalence of Malnutrition in Children with Congenital Heart Disease

Background: Congenital heart defect (CHD) is the most common congenital anomaly in infants and is known to be a leading cause of malnutrition. Objectives: This study aimed to provide insights into the prevalence of malnutrition in children with CHD in Iran. Methods: The study enrolled 515 under-five children with CHD. The diagnosis was based on the definitive result of cardiac catheterization report. They were divided into the subgroups of cyanotic with pulmonary hypertension (PH), acyanotic with PH, cyanotic without PH, and acyanotic without PH according to their diagnosis. The degree of growth failure and the severity of malnutrition were evaluated based on the WHO standards (z-score criteria) in three categories as mild (-1.1 to -2.0 SD), moderate (-2.1 to -3.0 SD), and severe (≤ 3 SD). Results: Among the studied groups, the most prevalent CHDs were ventricular septal defect (VSD; 42.9%) and tetralogy of Fallot (TOF; 17.3%). Severe malnutrition was significantly more prevalent in cyanotic patients with and without PH (n = 23; 63.9% and n = 89; 51.1%, respectively). Normal nutritional status was significantly more in acyanotic patients without PH (P < 0.001). Overall, malnutrition in this study was mild in 16.3%, moderate in 24.1%, and severe in 39.8% of cases. Conclusions: The study showed that the prevalence of malnutrition in children with CHD aged under 5 years was noticeably high at this center in Iran. The administration of nutritional requirements such as low-volume and high-calorie diets should be considered for these vulnerable children.

Antibioticoterapia em crianças indígenas e não indígenas desnutridas

Introdução: A prevalência da desnutrição infantil vem diminuindo em todo o mundo, mas ainda acomete milhões de crianças, especialmente indígenas. Devido ao elevado número de doenças infecciosas associadas à desnutrição, a antibioticoterapia faz parte da terapêutica recomendada. Objetivo: Observar os casos de desnutrição entre crianças indígenas e não indígenas hospitalizadas e a terapêutica empregada durante o tratamento. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo, farmacoepidemiológico, realizado com informações extraídas de prontuários arquivados do período de janeiro de 2012 a dezembro de 2014 de um hospital público. Resultados: Participaram 166 crianças, sendo o número de crianças indígenas aproximadamente seis vezes maior do que não indígenas. Houve maior prevalência entre lactentes e crianças com idade inferior a um ano apresentaram mais chances de serem internadas por desnutrição. Os diagnósticos de desnutrição mais vistos foram os inespecíficos, com uma proporção significativa de óbitos relacionados ao diagnóstico E43. As infecções mais comuns foram do sistema digestório e respiratório. Crianças indígenas tiveram quase cinco vezes mais chances de apresentarem infecção respiratória. A maior proporção recebeu até três antibióticos, havendo crianças que receberam mais que sete antibióticos diferentes durante o período de internação. Conclusão: A população infantil deve ser acompanhada por meio de inquéritos que possam subsidiar políticas de saúde que atendam suas necessidades. É necessária a capacitação dos profissionais envolvidos no cuidado da criança desnutrida, recursos materiais e financeiros, a fim diminuir o número de diagnósticos inespecíficos e evitar o uso indiscriminado de antibióticos, sendo imprescindível uma política de controle efetiva no uso da politerapia antimicrobiana.

Evidence of Between- and Within-Household Child Nutrition Inequality in Malawi: Does the Gender of the Household Head Matter?

This paper uses a variance decomposition approach to investigate inter- and intra-household inequalities in under-five children’s nutritional status in Malawi and distinguish between explained and unexplained variance. The adopted linear random effect model is based on a version of the conceptual framework by UNICEF, and the adopted dataset is from the Malawian Endline Survey 2014. The selected impact variable is child stunting. The explanatory variables are representative of the underlying and basic causes of this nutritional status. This study adds to the literature by providing an estimate by the gender of the household head and up-to-date evidence on the case of Malawi, where the prevalence of child malnutrition is rampant. The results reveal that between-household inequalities, especially those unexplained by the adopted model, mostly drive the long-term child nutritional inequalities. Policy suggestions for the design of nutritional and redistributive policies aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the country’s growth and development strategy are provided.

The Prevalence of Acute and Chronic Malnutrition Among Children Under Five in a Rural Haitian Town: A Population-Based Survey (P11-103-19)

ObjectivesBoth chronic and acute malnutrition in children under 5 remain a persistent problem in low and low-middle income countries. Haiti faces the highest burden of childhood malnutrition in the Western Hemisphere. We attempted to describe the prevalence of malnutrition in children in a farming community in Haiti and record characteristics of the those experiencing the disease. MethodsA household survey was conducted within the town of Fontaine in the Nord department of Haiti on all children under the age of 5. A total of 535 children were assessed. Anthropometric data was taken on the children and household information was assessed via a population-based survey. ResultsOf the children assessed, 28% (149/535) were either chronically or acutely malnourished. Of the children who were malnourished: 36.4% (43/118) had 3 or more bouts of diarrhea in the past 3 months and only 5.3% (7/132) had stopped breastfeeding before 1 year of age. On average, the mothers of these children had completed 6.2 years of formal schooling. A slight majority of mothers, 54.7% (81/148), either “never” or “rarely” were concerned their child was malnourished. Of the households with malnourished children 88.4% (130/147) had reported running out of food in the last month. When asked what caused children in Fontaine to be malnourished, mothers of malnourished children cited a lack of food, 56.2% (82/146), and a lack of access to employment, 25.3% (37/146), most frequently. ConclusionsMalnutrition commonly affects children in Fontaine. Efficacious prevention interventions could possibly include decreasing food insecurity, or increasing girls’ education level. Funding SourcesNone.

LOW BIRTH WEIGHT IS A RISK FACTOR OF MALNUTRITION IN CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OLD IN COASTAL AREAS

Background: Malnutrition is a public health problem, especially in developing countries. Malnutrition of children can affect brain development during growth and increase morbidity and mortality. Low birth weight (LBW) plays an important role in child morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of malnutrition in children under five years old and LBW in Indonesia are still high.Objective: This study aimed to assess the risk of LBW on the incidence of malnutrition in children under five years old in coastal areas.Method: This was an observational analytic study with case control approach. The study was conducted on 64 respondents in the coastal area of Kendari City, Southeast Sulawesi on November to December 2018. Case group (n=16) was children under five years old who experienced malnutrition in the working area of Abeli, Mata and Benu-Benua Health Center in October 2018. Control group (n=48) was taken by measuring body weight and then adjusted to the category and threshold of nutritional status based on the body weight index according to age. Sixteen respondents of case group were recruited using total sampling. Forty-eight respondents of control group were also recruited using purposive sampling with non-matching method according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Odd Ratio (OR) statistical test was used with a 2x2 contingency table and a 95% confidence level with a significance level of α = 0.05.Results: The majority of respondents were 25-48 months old, and maternal age was mostly 36-45 years old in the case group (37.5%) and 26-35 years old in the control group (50.0%). The majority of maternal education level was junior high school in the case group (43.7%) and high school in the control group (47.9%). The statistical test results were obtained OR = 5.923 (CI=95%) with Lower Limit (1.724) and Upper Limit (20.346). Conclusion: Infants with LBW had a 5 times higher risk for experiencing malnutrition in childhood in coastal areas. Therefore, knowledge of LBW and malnutrition is needed to improve public health status.

Desnutrición infantil, una mirada desde diversos factores

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar los factores relacionados a la prevalencia de la desnutrición de niños menores de 3 años de la provincia de Huánuco. Fue un estudio observacional, prospectivo, transversal, analítico y correlacional; con una muestra aleatoria de 234 niños, a quienes se les aplicó fichas de valoración y a sus madres un cuestionario de factores; previamente validados y fiabilizados, según consideraciones éticas. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo e inferencial mediante la prueba Chi cuadrada de Pearson, y la prueba multinomial, para un p ≤ 0,05, apoyados en el SPSS V22. Se encontró relación significativa entre diferentes factores: desconocimiento de la madre del número de raciones que debe consumir el niño a partir del sexto mes, la inaccesibilidad económica para el abastecimiento de alimentos, la rotación de cultivos agrícolas tradicionales por comerciales ineficaces, el bajo peso al nacer (p&lt;0,05), entre otros. En el análisis multivariado: la rotación de cultivos tradicionales por comerciales ineficaces, el niño con bajo peso al nacer y la deficiente calidad de los servicios materno-infantiles, aumentaron la probabilidad de tener desnutrición. Concluyendo que la desnutrición en niños menores de 3 años en estudio, está relacionada a factores económicos, ambientales, culturales, biológicos e institucionales.

The prevalence of malnutrition in children with cleft lip and cleft palate: a case-control study

Background: Children with cleft lip and cleft palate come across lot of impediment, hurdles in society. There are several social factors which hinders the proper nourishment of CL only, CP or CLP children, so majority of them tend to suffer malnutrition due to lack of standard care especially from their parents and society. Due to even low socio-economic status, impact on growth of these children is vexatious. However potential risk of malnutrition is particularly more during early childhood. Moreover, till date there are not much significant data on malnutrition in CL only, CP or CLP children. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of malnutrition in non syndromic CL only, CP or CLP in south India.Methods: Anthropometric parameters weight for age z score (WAZ), height for age z score (HAZ), of children with CLP were compared with age matched controls.Results: Prevalence of PEM and stunting for cleft group were 40% and 21.3% respectively compared to 33.33% and 17.33% for the control. Differences in the underweight, and stunting between the two groups were not statistically significant (χ2=2.83, p value=0.58, and χ2=1.48, p value=0.69 respectively).Conclusions: There is no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of malnutrition in children with non- syndromic cleft lip and Palate compared with control.

Factores asociados a malnutrición en niños entre 2 y 5 Años Oicatá, Colombia

Introducción. La malnutrición se define como una serie de desequilibrios que incluyen desde la desnutrición, déficit proteico o calórico, sobrepeso y obesidad. Objetivo: Determinar los factores clínicos y sociodemográficos asociados a la prevalencia de malnutrición en niños entre 2 y 5 años, en el periodo 2016-2017, en la Empresa Social del Estado (E.S.E) de primer nivel, Oicatá, Boyacá. Método. Estudio de prevalencia analítica, con un muestro aleatorio de 194 niños y niñas, entre los 2 y 5 años, suministrado por la base de datos de controles de crecimiento y desarrollo entre los años 2016 y 2017. Resultados. De los 194 niños incluidos en la investigación, el género de mayor predominio fue el femenino en un 50,5%, con una media de edad 4 años y un Índice de Masa Corporal de 15.35 (kg/cm2). Se halló una prevalencia para desnutrición aguda y crónica de 1,2% y 1,8% respectivamente, asociada a factores como antecedentes patológicos, nacimiento por cesárea, bajo peso al nacer, parto pre término y una lactancia materna menor a 2 meses. Se encontraron más cifras de malnutrición por déficit que por exceso. Conclusiones. La prevalencia de malnutrición en el municipio de Oicatá, evidenció mayores cifras hacia la desnutrición crónica y su existencia con la asociación a múltiples factores clínicos y sociodemográficos para padecer tal condición en los menores de 5 años

Policy Development of the Child-Friendly City: Case Study of South Tangerang City Regional Government

This study aims to find out the Policy Development of the City of South Tangerang to implement the Ministerial Regulation of the Women's Empowerment and Child Protection of the Republic of Indonesia Number 11 of 2011, regarding the Child-Friendly City Development Policy using a qualitative approach and descriptive research methods. That is to explain phenomena in depth through data collection. This type of research provides an overview, an accurate explanation objectively about the actual state of the object under study. Research design uses the theory of public policy making according to Metter and Horn. The results of the South Tangerang development research generally went well. Among them; achievement of basic health and welfare, the large number of breastfeeding facilities and breastfeeding corners, high percentage of complete basic immunizations for children, low prevalence of malnutrition in children under five, low infant mortality rate (IMR), as well as active and outstanding ARHCIC (Adolescent Reproductive Health Counseling Information Center).

An Investigation of the Prevalence and Causes of Malnutrition in Iran: a Review Article and Meta-analysis.

Malnutrition is one of the most important health issues in developing countries, which might have adverse effects on the physical and intellectual health of children. The search process was started to find Persian and English articles published until September 2017 regarding the prevalence of malnutrition in children under the age of six in Iran using national and international databases including SID, Magiran, Irandoc, IranMedex, PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science. The data were analyzed using meta-analysis methods and the random effects model. The heterogeneity of studies was analyzed using the I2 index. The data were analyzed using R and STATA software (ver. 11.2). Twenty seven articles conducted from 2002 to 2016 were collected to be included in the meta-analysis process. The total sample size was 161,941 patients in an age range of 0-6 years. The final estimate of the prevalence of different forms of malnutrition through meta-analysis of data extracted from studies in Iran was as follows: severe underweight (1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1–1), moderate underweight (6%; 95% CI, 5–7), mild underweight (25%; 95% CI, 21–28), severe short stature (3%; 95% CI, 2–3), moderate short stature (8%; 95% CI, 6–9), mild short stature (21%; 95% CI, 17–24), severe slimness (1%; 95% CI, 1–1), moderate slimness (5%; 95% CI, 4–5) and mild slimness (20%; 95% CI, 17–24). Considering that the prevalence of malnutrition is relatively high in Iran, health authorities should plan to improve the nutritional status of children.

The association between malnutrition and childhood disability in low- and middle- income countries: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between childhood disability and malnutrition in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs). Articles were identified from 1990 to August 2017 by searching nine electronic databases. Epidemiological studies, undertaken in LMICs that compared the prevalence of malnutrition in children with disabilities to children without disabilities were eligible for inclusion. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened by two reviewers, and data were extracted using a structured table for eligible papers. Meta-analyses for the association between childhood disability and undernutrition were performed. The search generated 4678 results, from which 17 articles were eligible. Fifty-three per cent of these studies showed a positive association between childhood disability and undernutrition. Results varied when disaggregated by type of disability, with positive associations identified for 44% of studies focussed on neurodevelopmental disability, 60% of general disability studies and 67% of studies on hearing impairment. Only four studies were identified that considered overnutrition outcomes, and these showed variable results. Eighteen per cent of eligible studies were considered at low risk of bias, 53% had a medium risk, and 29% had a high risk of bias. Pooled ORs showed that children with disabilities were almost three times more likely to be underweight (OR 2.97, 95% CI 2.33, 3.79), and nearly twice as likely to experience stunting and wasting (Stunting: 1.82, 1.40, 2.36; Wasting: 1.90, 1.32-2.75), compared to controls. Children with disabilities may be a vulnerable group for undernutrition in LMICs, which should be reflected in disability and nutritional programming and policy-making.

Oral Nutritional Supplementation in Children Treated for Cancer in Low- and Middle-Income Countries Is Feasible and Effective: the Experience of the Children's Hospital Manuel De Jesus Rivera "La Mascota" in Nicaragua.

Children with cancer are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition, which can affect their tolerance of chemotherapy and outcome. In Nicaragua approximately two-thirds of children diagnosed with cancer present with under-nutrition. A nutritional program for children with cancer has been developed at “La Mascota” Hospital. Results of this oral nutritional intervention including difficulties, benefits, and relevance for children treated for cancer in low− and middle-income countries are here reported and discussed.