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Published on: December 1, 2012

Acute malnutrition and postoperative outcomes in pediatric abdominal surgery

Benedetta Esposito1, Adriano La Vecchia2, Luisa Napolitano3

  • 1University of Milan, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health (DISCCO), Milan, Italy.

Clinical Nutrition ESPEN
|May 30, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Wasting, a form of malnutrition, significantly increases the risk of postoperative complications in children undergoing abdominal surgery. Early identification and intervention are crucial for improving outcomes in these vulnerable pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric surgery
  • Global child health
  • Nutritional epidemiology

Background:

  • Malnutrition is common in children undergoing surgery in sub-Saharan Africa, yet its impact on postoperative outcomes is poorly understood.
  • This study provides initial data on malnutrition and surgical outcomes in Ugandan children undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between preoperative malnutrition (stunting and wasting) and postoperative outcomes in young children undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study of 274 children (1-59 months) undergoing major GI surgery.
  • Nutritional status assessed via WHO Z-scores and MUAC; stunting and wasting defined using standard cut-offs.
  • Postoperative complications, severity, hospital stay, and PICU admission were analyzed using multivariable regression.

Main Results:

  • Nearly 40% of children were stunted and 25% were wasted preoperatively.
  • Over 35% of children experienced at least one postoperative complication, with wound infections being most common.
  • Wasting was independently associated with a higher likelihood of postoperative complications (OR 3.74, p=0.03), but stunting was not.

Conclusions:

  • Wasting is linked to increased postoperative complications in pediatric abdominal surgery.
  • Further research, including prospective studies, is needed to confirm causality and explore nutritional interventions.
Abstract

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