TITLE:
Prevalence of Malnutrition among Hospitalized Pediatric Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Jordan: Pilot Study
AUTHORS:
Shahdan Al-Dabbas, Qamar Batayneh, Raghad Al-Jawhary, Mohammad Hadi Alzoubi, Eyad Altamimi
KEYWORDS:
Children, Growth, Stunting, Underweight, Malnutrition, Nutrition, Anemia
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.12 No.8,
August
20,
2024
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Failure to thrive (FTT) occurs when a child’s growth falls below expected standards, typically due to inadequate nutrient intake. Factors include insufficient oral intake, poor nutrient absorption, and increased metabolic demands. Previous studies have shown high malnutrition rates in hospitalized children due to illness-related metabolic demands, decreased appetite, and inadequate intake. Our objective was to assess the growth and nutritional status of children admitted to King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH) and identify the prevalence of undernutrition and associated factors. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional cohort study was conducted at KAUH from July to December 2022. We included children aged 2 months to 16 years, excluding those with conditions altering growth parameters. Data were collected through pediatric data sheets, physical examinations, and laboratory tests. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and growth was assessed using CDC growth charts. Nutritional anemia was defined as hemoglobin 16. Results: A total of 111 patients were included (56.8% male, median age 65 months). Most patients had normal height (82%) and weight (86.5%) upon admission. However, 14.4% were stunted, 11.7% were underweight, 14.4% were overweight, and 3.6% were obese. Growth impairment correlated with higher anemia rates (p = 0.042). Nutritional anemia was present in 12% of patients. No significant relation was found between breastfeeding history and growth retardation, but maternal perception of malnutrition correlated well with actual malnutrition. Conclusion: Our study found a malnutrition prevalence of 19.8%, highlighting the need for systematic nutritional screening in hospitalized children. The study’s limitations include its small sample size and specific patient population, suggesting the need for larger, multicenter studies for more generalizable results.