[Nutritional status and risk in hospitalized children]
1Comité de liaison alimentation nutrition, hôpital Robert-Debré, 48, boulevard Serurier, 75019 Paris, France. regis.hankard@rdb.ap-hop-paris.fr
Insights
Malnutrition is common in hospitalized children, with many experiencing insufficient energy intake. Referrals to dietitians for these pediatric patients are also inadequate.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Clinical Malnutrition
- Hospitalized Patient Care
Context:
- Malnutrition is a recognized issue in hospitalized patients, impacting recovery and health outcomes.
- Previous studies have highlighted the prevalence of malnutrition in various patient populations.
- Understanding nutritional status in pediatric hospital settings is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose:
- To assess the prevalence of malnutrition and evaluate protein-energy intake in hospitalized children.
- To identify factors contributing to malnutrition in a pediatric inpatient setting.
- To determine the adequacy of dietary referrals for malnourished children.
Summary:
- A cross-sectional survey of 183 hospitalized children (older than six months, hospitalized >48 hours, without nutritional support) found 21% had a Body Mass Index (BMI) below -2 Standard Deviations (SD).
- Excluding anorexia nervosa cases, 12% of children were malnourished (BMI < -2 SD).
- Two-thirds of all children had energy intake below 75% of recommended allowances, and only 50% of malnourished children were referred to a dietitian.
Impact:
- Highlights the significant prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized children, underscoring a critical area for clinical intervention.
- Reveals insufficient energy intake and inadequate dietitian referrals as key issues in pediatric hospital nutrition management.
- Emphasizes the need for improved nutritional screening and timely dietary interventions to improve outcomes for hospitalized children.
Background:
A few studies report malnutrition in hospitalized patients.
Material And Methods:
This one-day cross-sectional survey performed in January 1999 assessed nutritional status and protein-energy intake in a pediatric population hospitalized in medicine or surgery units. Every child older than six months, hospitalized for more than 48 h and free of nutritional support (parenteral, enteral, or special regimens for metabolic diseases) was included.
Results:
Fifty-eight children among the 183 present the day of the study met the inclusion criteria and were included in the statistical analysis. They were hospitalized in medicine (48%), psychiatry (31%) and surgery (21%). The body mass index (BMI) was below -2 standard deviations (DS) in 21% of them. Excluding patients with anorexia nervosa, BMI was < -2 SD, > +2 SD, or in between these limits in respectively 12, 14 and 74%. Energy intake measured at the hospital was below 75% of the recommended dietary allowances in two-thirds of the children whether malnourished or not. Fifty percent of the malnourished children had been referred to a dietician the day of the study.
Conclusions:
Malnutrition is frequent in a population of hospitalized children. Energy intake and referral to a dietician are insufficient.
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