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Frequency of malnutrition in children and adolescents with child maltreatment

Verónica Martín-Martín1, Carolina Romo-González2, José Francisco González-Zamora3

  • 1Epidemiology Research Department. Instituto Nacional de Pediatría.

Nutricion Hospitalaria
|December 10, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Child maltreatment (CM) is linked to malnutrition, with 41% of cases showing wasting or overweight/obesity. Malnutrition requires a broader view, including potential CM.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Child Maltreatment Studies
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Child maltreatment (CM) significantly impacts child physical and mental health.
  • Understanding the nutritional status of maltreated children is crucial for intervention.
  • The Clínica de Atención Integral al Niño Maltratado (CAINM) in Mexico provides a unique setting to study this issue.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency of malnutrition in children experiencing child maltreatment.
  • To analyze malnutrition prevalence based on age group and sex.
  • To compare malnutrition rates in CM cases with the general pediatric population in Mexico.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive study design.
  • Utilized height/age, weight/height, and BMI/age for malnutrition assessment (undernutrition, overweight/obesity).
  • Statistical analysis included Chi-squared and one-sample Poisson tests for comparisons.

Main Results:

  • 41% of 117 CM cases exhibited wasting or overweight/obesity; 25% had stunting.
  • Overweight/obesity was more common in adolescents; wasting and stunting were linked to neglect.
  • Children under 5 had higher wasting prevalence; those 5-11 had higher wasting and stunting compared to the non-CM population.

Conclusions:

  • Child maltreatment cases present with both undernutrition (wasting, stunting) and overweight/obesity, particularly in adolescents.
  • Malnutrition in pediatric populations necessitates considering child maltreatment as a contributing factor.
  • A comprehensive approach to pediatric malnutrition must include screening for and addressing child maltreatment.
Abstract

Keywords:
Maltrato infantil. Mala nutrición. Sobrepeso/obesidad. Desnutrición. Talla baja. Niños/adolescentes.

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