Abstract
Reports of a high prevalence of undernutrition in adult patients made it desirable to assess children upon admission to hospital. The survey was conducted in May as records indicated that it was a representative month. 170 alternate admissions were enrolled: 90 surgical, 80 medical. Height, weight, mid-arm circumference and triceps skin fold thickness were measured and the results compared with norms from the Ten State Nutrition Survey. Patients were divided into 3 age groups: 44 infants and young children (I.<3 yrs), 73 children (C. 3-12 yrs) and 53 adolescents (A.>12 yrs). Sixteen percent of I. were <5th percentile for height; C. 11% and A. 16%. Comparable proportions were <5th percentile for weight (20:9:23% respectively) and for Wt/Ht ratio (15:9%). Fourteen percent of I. were <5th percentile for mid-arm circumference and skin fold thickness. Results from C. and A. were comparable to the norm. The only abnormalities found in biochemical parameters were: 3 patients with low free erythrocyte proto-porphyrin and 16 with reduced erythrocyte folate. In conclusion the anthropometric measurements were the most useful particularly the mid-arm circumference. I. as expected were the group at most risk, their major problem being protein energy malnutrition.
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Parsons, H., Francoeur, T., Howland, P. et al. 373 SURVEY OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN ON ADMISSION TO HOSPITAL. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 426 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00378
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00378