Detection of malnutrition in hospitalized children aged 0-6 years and investigation of factors affecting malnutrition

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine malnutrition in hospitalized children and to examine the factors affecting it, thus to examine the effectiveness of early screening and the determination of malnutrition and preventive measures. Method: A total of 300 patients aged 0-6 years were admitted in different services at Ankara City Hospital Children's Hospital between 16.02 and 12.06.2020. A questionnaire with socio-economic and demographic data and a strongkids screening method were applied to the patients by face-to-face interview method. Anthropometric measurements were taken of all patients including body weight, height length, head circumference (under 3 years), upper middle arm circumference and triceps skin fold thickness. Analysis of data: Mean, standard deviation, median lowest, highest, frequency and ratio values were used in the descriptive statistics of the data. The distribution of variables was measured by the kolmogorov simirnov test. The Mann-whitney U test was used in the analysis of quantitative independent data. Chi-square test was used in the analysis of qualitative independent data, fischer test was used when Chi-square test conditions were not met. The SPSS 27.0 program was used in the analyses. Results: 58% of the 300 patients participating in the study were boy and 42% were girl patients. The first feeding of babies after birth was breast milk with 81.7%. The proportion of those who receive breast milk within the first 1 hour after birth is 78%. In the study, acute malnutrition rate was 14% and chronic malnutrition rate was 20.6%. Children with acute and chronic malnutrition had significantly lower birth weights (p<0.05). In this study, all anthropometric measurement results were significantly lower in children with acute and chronic malnutrition than in those without it (p<0.05). It was found that both groups of patients with acute and chronic malnutrition had significantly lower normal nutrient consumption (p<0.05). In the group with chronic malnutrition, It was determined that the feeding time at 1 meal lasted significantly longer (p<0.05). both groups with acute and chronic malnutrition were found to have significant anorexia (p<0.05). Looking at the frequency of food consumption of the patients participating in the study; animal food consumption was significantly lower in the group with acute and chronic malnutrition (p<0.05). According to the Strongkids screening test included in the study, 55.3% of patients were found to have a moderate risk of malnutrition, and 8% had a high risk of malnutrition. Despite the cases of malnutrition in the patient group, the diagnosis of malnutrition was not included in the hospitalization diagnoses. Conclusion: rapid assessment of malnutrition in inpatient patients with screening tests and anthropometric measurements is of great importance to reduce mortality and morbidity by making early diagnosis and treatment possible. Key words: protein energy malnutrition, chronic malnutrition, strongkids