Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
Original Article

The nutritional status of hospitalized children: Has this subject been overlooked?

1.

Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine, Isparta, Turkey

2.

Department of Emergency, Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine, Isparta, Turkey

Turk J Gastroenterol 2015; 26: 351-355
DOI: 10.5152/tjg.2015.0013
Read: 1639 Downloads: 690 Published: 25 July 2019

Abstract

Background/Aims: To determine the nutritional status of hospitalized children at the time of admission and to investigate the relationship between diagnosis and nutritional status.

 

Materials and Methods: Body weight, height, triceps skinfold thickness, and mid-arm circumference were measured on admission and percentages of weight-for-age, weight-for-height, body mass index, mid-arm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness were calculated. The nutritional status was evaluated using the Waterlow, Gomez, and other anthropometric assessments.

 

Results: A total of 511 patients were included in the study with a mean age of 5.8±4.9 years. Malnutrition was determined in 52.7% of patients according to the Waterlow classification. Mild malnutrition was determined in 39%, moderate in 12%, and severe in 1.7%, with the characteristics of acute malnutrition in 23.9%, acute-chronic in 7.3%, and chronic in 21.5%. The highest rate of malnutrition was in the 0–2 years age group (62.3%). According to the Gomez classification, malnutrition rate was determined as 46.8%. The rates of malnutrition in malignant, gastrointestinal, and infectious diseases were 60%, 59.8%, and 54.5%, respectively.

 

 

Conclusion: The prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized children was noticeably high. The nutritional evaluation of all patients and an early start to nutritional support could provide a significant positive contribution.

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EISSN 2148-5607