Related Experiment Videos

The effects of hospitalization on the nutritional status of children

Geila A Rocha1, Edmundo J M Rocha, Ceci V Martins

  • 1Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.

Jornal De Pediatria
|March 15, 2006
PubMed

Insights

High rates of childhood malnutrition were observed upon hospital admission and persisted at discharge. Prolonged hospital stays and pneumonia exacerbated weight loss in hospitalized children, highlighting critical nutritional concerns.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Nutrition Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Childhood malnutrition is a significant global health issue.
  • Hospitalized children are at risk of nutritional status deterioration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the nutritional status of children under five upon hospital admission and discharge.
  • To identify factors contributing to malnutrition onset or worsening during hospitalization.

Main Methods:

  • Observational study of 203 children under five in Fortaleza, Brazil (August-December 2003).
  • Nutritional status (weight/age, stature/age, weight/stature z-scores) assessed at admission and discharge.
  • Analysis stratified by sex, age, diagnosis, and length of stay.

Main Results:

  • On admission, malnutrition prevalence was 18.7% (weight/age), 18.2% (stature/age), and 6.9% (weight/stature).
  • Over 51% of children lost weight during hospitalization; prolonged stays and pneumonia were associated with greater weight loss.
  • Children admitted with malnutrition remained malnourished at discharge; 9.17% of initially well-nourished children developed malnutrition.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated malnutrition prevalence at admission remained unchanged by discharge.
  • Prolonged hospitalization and pneumonia are risk factors for weight loss in hospitalized children.
  • Hospitalization itself can lead to or worsen malnutrition in vulnerable children.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care01:28

Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires collaborative and comprehensive management. CKD progresses through stages and can lead to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) if untreated. Interprofessional collaboration and patient education are crucial, enabling patients to manage their health and improve their quality of life.Diagnostic approach for chronic kidney diseaseThe diagnosis of CKD primarily focuses on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which assesses kidney function by measuring how well...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...
Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding01:15

Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding

Enteral nutrition encompasses various methods of delivering nutrition directly to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, bypassing traditional oral intake. It is particularly beneficial for patients who cannot eat by mouth but have a functioning digestive system. Key methods include nasointestinal feeding, gastrostomy, and jejunostomy, each suited to different clinical scenarios based on the patient's needs and condition.
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube through...
Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding01:26

Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding

Enteral nutrition delivers nutrients directly to the stomach or small intestine through a tube. This method is appropriate for patients who cannot eat but still have a functioning digestive system. It is also beneficial for individuals with swallowing difficulties, anorexia, malabsorption, or those who have undergone gastrointestinal (GI) surgery.
Orogastric (OG) and nasogastric (NG) feeding are two standard methods used for enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is often preferred over...
Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...