Profile of Children with Undernutrition Admitted in Two Secondary-Level Hospitals in Maputo City, Mozambique
Idalécia Cossa-Moiane1,2,3, Clémentine Roucher2, Maiza Campos-Ponce4
1Instituto Nacional de Saúde (INS), EN1, Marracuene 3943, Mozambique.
Insights
Mozambique
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Mozambique faces high child undernutrition rates.
- Child malnutrition is a significant public health issue in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Purpose of the Study:
- Characterize hospitalized children (1-14 years) with undernutrition.
- Identify associated risk factors for child undernutrition.
Main Methods:
- Collected clinical, demographic, socioeconomic, and environmental data.
- Performed anthropometric measurements and stool sample analysis.
- Utilized Principal Component Analysis for wealth index determination.
Main Results:
- Most children admitted with severe undernutrition (kwashiorkor, -3SD Z-score).
- Common co-morbidities included HIV, diarrhea, and anemia.
- High prevalence of intestinal parasites in children and caretakers.
- Overweight/obese caretakers and undernourished children indicate a double burden of malnutrition.
Conclusions:
- Severe undernutrition suggests delayed medical care seeking.
- Mozambique confronts a dual malnutrition challenge: undernutrition in children and overweight/obesity in caretakers.
Abstract:
Mozambique has one of the highest child undernutrition rates in Sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to characterize the profile of children from 1 to 14 years old hospitalized for undernutrition and to explore associated risk factors. Clinical, demographic, socioeconomic, and environmental data were collected. Anthropometric measurements and stool samples were collected from a child and their caretaker. The wealth index was determined using Principal Components Analysis. A total of 449 children and their caretakers were enrolled. The children had a median age of 1.0 year [IQR: 1.0-2.0], and 53.9% (242/449) were male. Most were admitted with severe undernutrition (35.7%, 159/449 kwashiorkor and 82.0%, 368/449 with -3SD Z-score indexes). The most common co-morbidities were HIV (30.0%, 120/400), diarrhea (20.0%; 80/400), and anemia (12.5%; 50/400). Among the caretakers, 9.5% (39/409) were underweight, 10.1% (40/397) were overweight, and 14.1% (56/397) were obese. Intestinal parasites were found in 24.8% (90/363) children and in 38.5% (77/200) caretakers. The majority of children (60.7%, 85/140) came from low- to middle-wealth households. Most were severely undernourished, suggesting that they seek medical care too late. The finding of overweight/obese caretakers in combination with undernourished children confirms that Mozambique is facing a double burden of malnutrition.
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