Abstract

HERNANDEZ RODRIGUEZ, Yunit et al. Nutritional status of children admitted at “Pepe Portilla” University Children Hospital. Pinar del Rio. Rev Ciencias Médicas [online]. 2012, vol.16, n.4, pp. 84-97. ISSN 1561-3194.

Introduction: the application of the survey concerning pediatric malnutrition at “Pepe Portilla” University Children Hospital becomes into a natural complement of ELANCUBA study, now for Cuban children hospitals. Objectives: to estimate the frequency of energetic nutritional malnutrition among children and adolescents admitted in this hospital, assessing at the same time the current procedures of food provision, nutrients and the use of techniques of common nutritional support. Material and Method: to carry it out, all children admitted in the hospital were included in the study, children younger than 19 years old with a stay of more than 72 hours in the hospital. Demographic and clinical variables were collected to identify and trace in each child: sex, skin color, health problems and hospital stay (days). Children were measured and weighed, and the surveys of pediatric nutritional risks together with the assessment of hospital malnutrition were both applied. Results: malnutrition was present in 29% of the children admitted with a higher frequency of onset in children under and equal 2 years old. Despite the frequency of malnutrition found this was not recognized as an independent diagnosis; besides the assessment of anthropometric and biochemical nutritional status in the majority of them was conducted. Observing a low frequency of administration of artificial-nutritional therapy (enteral/parenteral), malnutrition was mostly present in children who suffered from respiratory and digestive conditions. Conclusion: malnutrition constitutes a health problem among children admitted at “Pepe Portilla” Provincial Pediatric Hospital.

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