Gilma Olaya Vega
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia
Title: Malnutrition in Colombian and Venezuelan hospitalized children under five years of age
Biography
Biography: Gilma Olaya Vega
Abstract
Introduction: Malnutrition in hospitalized children could be undetected with negative effects on health recovery, growth, length of stay and costs.
Objective: To identify nutritional status in Colombian and Venezuelan hospitalized children <5 years of age.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with a convenience sample admitted at the hospital UEM in Cucuta, Colombia. Socio-demographic variables was recorded in a questionnaire, nutritional assessment was performed using anthropometric measurements (weight, length/height, head circumference and mid upper arm circumference). Food consumption was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire, and physical examination to identify edema.
Analysis: Data is presented as mean (standard deviations), proportions and chi square (significance p<0.05).
Results: Sample size was 99 children, 45% Venezuelan migrant children and 55% Colombian children, 54.5% girls, and 45.5% boys. 19.2% were infants <6mo, infants, 56.6% infants 6 to 24 months and 24.2% children from 2 to 5 years of age. Undernutrition was common 20.2% (20/99) suffer severe acute malnutrition (13.1% suffer Kwashiorkor, 6.1 marasmus and 1.1% kwashiorkor-marasmus). 10.1% moderate acute malnutrition, and 34.3% were stunting (height-length for age <2SD). The highest prevalence of severe acute malnutrition 13.1% (13/99), p<0.05 and stunting 19%,(p<0.002) was in Venezuelan children. The main cause of hospitalization was respiratory infection in infants <24mo and gastrointestinal infections in children 2 to 5 years of age. There was lower consumption with statistical significant difference of milk diary products (p=0.01), meat (p=0.02), fruits (p=0.007) and vegetables (p=0.01) in Venezuelan children.
Conclusion: Severe and moderate acute malnutrition was common situation that needs further investigation.