title: Childhood malnutrition: an analysis of the effects of nutritional advice.
abstract: An analysis of malnutrition was done in 65 infants and preschool children (18 boys and 47 girls) who were under the third percentile of weight for age. Fifty-seven percent of cases has hematocrits of less than 36%, 7% had hematocrits of less than 30% and two had iron deficiency anemia which improved after iron supplement. Eosinophils of more than 400 cells/mm3 were found in 35% of cases. Eleven percent had eosinophils of more than 1,000 cells/mm3. Parasites were found on stool examination in 12.5% of cases. Bone development was retarded in 39% of 23 cases. In 7 cases with bone development delayed more than 6 months, thyroid function and trace elements were analysed and found to be within normal limits. In 5 cases with delayed bone development and height less than 5 cm/year, growth hormones showed normal levels. Proper nutritional advice resulted in improvement in body weight and height in 57% of cases, tricept skin fold in 73%, bicept skin fold in 60%, arm muscle area in 50% and arm fat area in 29% of cases. Improvement was not associated with family income or education of the people who cared for the patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Visitsunthorn
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wongarn
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth; D006266:Health Education; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013785:Thailand