Nutritional profile of pediatric patients hospitalized and seen for nutrition consultation

Abstract

Introduction: Nutritional assessment in hospitalized pediatric patients is the basis for establishing the nutritional diagnosis and reducing the effect of an inadequate nutritional status on clinical evolution. Objective: to establish the prevalence of malnutrition in pediatric patients hospitalized in a high complexity pediatric hospital with nutrition interconsultation. Methodology: Retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study, from 3350 care records of the Fundación Hospital Pediátrico de la Misericordia, from January 1, 2020 to May 1, 2021. Anthro and Anthro Plus were used for nutritional analysis with the New WHO 2006-2007 reference standards. The frequency of malnutrition and the difference in proportions according to sex and age groups were determined with the Z-test, with 95% CI and p<0.05. Results: In children under 5 years of age, there were 25.2% of acute malnutrition, 39.2% of stunting, 23.0% of global malnutrition and 5.7% of overweight. In children aged 5 to 17 years, 19.5% were underweight, 18.4% were stunted and 18.2% were overweight. Discussion: The present investigation shows a high prevalence of acute malnutrition in the hospitalized pediatric population under 5 years of age and international reports between 3.5 and 67%, while overweight is lower than international figures, which are between 16.88 and 25%. Conclusions: the high prevalence of pediatric malnutrition in the hospital environment can impact clinical evolution, and therefore differential interventions by age group and sex are recommended.