Evaluation of malnutrition status in children with chronic pulmonary disease in southeast anatolian region

Growth in normal ranges of a child shows that he/she is healthy. Although growth is indicated by genetic factors, it is also affected by environmental factors such as feding and infections. Following up the growth of a child is important to detect anormal growing earlier, reveal the causes and prevent to deteriorate. In this study, malnutrition prevalence and association with malnutrition and some variables of children with chronic pulmonary disease in Southeast Anatolia Region were investigated. This research is a sectional study and 166 children with aged 0-18 years were included. Children were divided in to 4 groups. These were; Cystic fibrosis (CF), non cystsic fibrosis bronchiectasis (non CF- BE), tuberculosis and asthma. Furthermore children were evaluated according to age groups and genders. The evaluation of malnutrition according to body mass index (BMI), malnutrion ratio was determined %24,6 in children aged 2-18 years with chronic pulmonary disease. There was a statistical difference between control group and patient group (p=0,012). In disease groups, malnutrition ratio of asthma and tuberculosis groups was close to control group, however it was markedly higher in CF and non CF-BE groups. According to Gomez classification, the mild malnutrition ratio in 136 children with chronic pulmonary disease was determined %28,6 (n=39), moderate was %16,6 (n=22) and severe was %5,8 (n=8). There was statistically significant difference (p=0,002). Children were evaluated via Waterlow classification. Children were classified as weight for height (wasting) and height for age (stunding). Of 136 children, 20% (n=28) had mild, 11% (n=16) had moderate and severe malnutrition to weight for height. Statistically p was <0,05. To height for age evaluation, 22% (n=31) had mild, 5% (n=8) had moderate and severe malnutrition. Children were examined according to age groups and genders. Malnutrition ratio was highest in 13-18 ages and the boys to BMI. Mild malnutrition was highest in 7-12 age group and moderate was seen in 13-18 ages, total malnutrition was higher in the girls to Gomez . According to age groups-weight for age classification malnutrition ratio was highest in 13-18 ages and malnutrition ratio of boys and girls almost equal. Malnutrition to age-height for age evaluation, the highest ratio was in 13-18 ages and in the girls. Performing of routine antropomethric measurements is very important for growth following up and evaluation of feeding conditions. Early diagnosis, aproppriate treatment and close following are prominent facts. In this study we aimed to emphasize that, to be focused on the primary disease could lead to be overlooked of feeding problems.