Assessment of nutritional status of children attending paediatric outpatient department at a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background

The nutrition status is always neglected issue of public health. The high

prevalence of malnutrition in NFHS data gives alarm to work for the children

who are assets of our country in future.

Objectives

To study the nutritional status of children attending pediatric OPD by

anthropometric measurements and to know the health status of these children

and their relation with nutritional status.

Methods

The nutritional profile of children of age group 0-5 years attending Paediatric

OPD at New Civil Hospital (NCH), Surat was studied. Stratification to get equal

representation of both gender by enrolling 50 boys and 50girls of each age

group 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 1-2 years, 2-3 years, 3-4 years and 4-5 years

was done. Total 600 children of age group of 0-5 years were enrolled.

Results

As per WHO growth standards, 17.5%, 46% and 39.33% children had wasting, stunting and underweight

respectively. Total malnutrition cases were 386 with a prevalence of 64.3 %. Age group wise prevalence of

under nutrition was highest in 37-48 months age group (69.2 %). As per assessment of nutritional status of

children aged 6-60 months using MUAC, 45.8 % children have mild to moderate malnutrition whereas 1.8 %

has severe malnutrition.

Conclusion

Malnutrition is more in boys compared to girls. Malnutrition was more prevalent in 12-60 months age group

children and was found statistically significant. Reduction of malnutrition in 0-5 age group can be ensured by

availability of supplementary feed.