[Determining factors of nutritional status in a pediatric surgical unit]

Nutritional assessment was made in 134 pediatric patients before surgery in order to analyze the influence of age, sex anthropometric nutritional index and type of surgical operation (urgent vs elective). The anthropometrical index, hematology measurements and serum protein levels were compared by using a one-way ANOVA and a linear correlation was performed when appropriate. The type of surgery and age of the patient were the factors which influence nutritional status the most among the pre-operatively screened surgical pediatric patients. In addition, pre-albumin, retinol-binding protein and acute-phase proteins have been shown to be affected by stress and appear to be more sensitive indicators of nutritional state than comparison of the types of surgery.