Investigation of malnutrition in hospitalized children: A point prevalence study from Kayseri

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the nutritional status of children who stayed in our hospital. Malnutrition is a clinic and pathological condition resulting from inappropriate intake of one or more nutrients to disrupt the body's physiological and metabolic balance. It is one of the most common health problems in developing countries and affects mostly children between the ages of six months and five years. Material and Method: A one-day cross-sectional survey was completed in all Pediatric Clinics of Emel Mehmet Tarman Children Health and Illness Hospital on May 16, 2017. Nutritional status of patients were evaluated. Results: Fifty-nine (49.1%) of 120 patients were female, 61/120 (50.9%) patients were male, and the ages of patients range between 1 month and 18 years and 4 months. Fifty-eight (48.3%) cases were between 1-24 months, 22 (18.3%) cases were between 2-6 years, 16 (13.3%) cases were between 6-10 years and 24 (20%) were between 10-18 years and four months. Twenty-five (20,8%) of 120 patients had malnutrition according to the Waterlow classification. Acute malnutrition was detected in 12 (48%) of 25 malnourished patients. Seven of the 12 patients (58.8%) had mild, 4 had moderate (33,3%), and 1 (8,3%) had severe acute malnutrition. Four (16%) of 25 patients had chronic malnutrition, 3/4 (75%) had severe, and 1/4 (25%) had moderate chronic malnutrition. Nine (36%) of 25 patients had chronic malnutrition with acute decompensation. Discussion: High rates of malnutrition were detected in hospitalized patients; therefore nutritional status should be carefully assessed at the moment of hospitalization to reduce the mortality and morbidity rate, and patients should be given nutritional support.