The evaluation of the malnutrition in hospitalized infants

Abstract

Aim: Malnutrition is a state of inadequate nutrition that can be prevented or treated with appropriate nutrition. The aim of this study is to determine the nutritional status of hospitalized infants and to establish the relationship between anthropometric measurements and malnutrition with underlying acute or chronic diseases. Materials and Methods: This study was cross-sectional, descriptive, and noninvasive. It included the infants who were hospitalized at the tertiary hospital between 2010 and 2012. Demographic data was collected through face-to-face interviews. Body mass index (BMI), BMI standard deviation score (SDS), BMI percentiles, SDS of body weight and height were calculated using the KIGS (Pfizer International Growth Database) Auxology calculator program. Results: A total of 298 infants were included in the study. The mean age of them was 7.18 ± 4.8 months and 185 children (62.1%) were male. At the time of hospitalization, 101 (33.9%) patients had chronic disease. Neurological diseases were the most common chronic diseases, accounting for 31.7% (n=32) of the chronic diseases. As the severity of malnutrition increased, the likelihood of accompanying chronic illness increased (p Conclusion: Mild and moderate malnutrition was detected even in patients who were admitted with acute illness and were not accompanied by chronic disease. Early diagnosis and treatment of nutritional disorders can be important in reducing mortality and morbidity. The aim of the treatment of malnutrition detected during hospitalization should provide better recovery and improvement, increase the quality of life, and raise healthy individuals.