Nutritional status of children under five in three state foster care institutions in Sri Lanka.
This study evaluated the prevalence of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) in children under five years (n = 52), in three randomly selected, State operated foster care institutions in Sri Lanka. The prevalence of PEM, was (51.9%), underweight (63.5%) and wasting (25.0%) was found to be considerably higher than the national prevalence (13.5%, 29.4%, 14.0%, respectively). Based on this preliminary evidence, it is recommended that a study representative of all institutionalised children in both State and private facilities be conducted to identify deficiencies and recommend improvements to institutional care in Sri Lanka.
Jayasekera
Channa R
CR
Duke University Medical Centre, 544 Finley St, Durham, NC 27705, USA. channa.jayasekara@duke.edu
D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005581:Foster Home Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007228:Infant Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013188:Sri Lanka / Q000453:epidemiology; D013219:State Government