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General practitioners’ practices for malnutrition screening in paediatric populations: a survey in one French department

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 75, pages 400–402 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

Background

Malnutrition remains a public health problem in Europe, not only in adults, but also in paediatrics. The aim of this study was to evaluate general practitioners (GPs) practices in paediatric malnutrition screening.

Methods

An anonymised questionnaire was sent to GPs in one French area. We analysed GPs’ data: sociodemographic, knowledge of malnutrition screening, practices, tools, and trainings.

Results

Overall, 102 of 174 GPs replied to the questionnaire (58.6%). 79.4% of GPs routinely measured weight, but only 33.3% measured both height and BMI, despite having tools (98,6%). 43.6% of GPs systematically reviewed growth charts. 71.3% were familiar with dietary recommendations, 30.7% with blood tests for nutritional status assessment, and 13.7% with dietary supplements. GPs who routinely measured BMI reviewed significantly more growth charts (p = 0.001) and prescribed more dietary supplements (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

GPs do not sufficiently measure children’s height and BMI, despite the increasing availability of software. Failure to analyse growth charts can induce delays in malnutrition screening.

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Fig. 1: GPs’ practices at each medical consultation (measurements and recording of measurements in the child’s personal healthcare book).

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Nikki Sabourin-Gibbs, Rouen University Hospital, for her help in editing the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Paediatric Unit, Le Havre Hospital, BP 24, 76083, Le Havre Cedex, France

    Valérie Bertrand & Benoît Pichot

  2. Department of Nutrition, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France

    Pierre Déchelotte

  3. INSERM U1073, UNIROUEN, Normandie University, Rouen, France

    Pierre Déchelotte

  4. CIC1404 Rouen University Hospital and INSERM 1073, Rouen Normandy University, Rouen, France

    Marie-Pierre Tavolacci

Authors
  1. Valérie Bertrand
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  2. Benoît Pichot
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  3. Pierre Déchelotte
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  4. Marie-Pierre Tavolacci
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Correspondence to Valérie Bertrand.

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Bertrand, V., Pichot, B., Déchelotte, P. et al. General practitioners’ practices for malnutrition screening in paediatric populations: a survey in one French department. Eur J Clin Nutr 75, 400–402 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-020-00719-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-020-00719-y

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