title: [Evaluation of defining characteristics of the nutritional nursing diagnosis in children enrolled in a nursery].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the occurrence of the defining characteristics (DC) of nutritional nursing diagnoses (NND), verifying the association between the DC and the variables: gender, age, weight and height.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive study was conducted on 69 children aged between 1 and 4 years old, enrolled in a public nursery. The evaluation tool consisted of a check-list that included DC of NND and the signs and symptoms associated with malnutrition and obesity identified in the literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study sample consisted of 57.9% females, with a mean age of 2.72 years (±0.765). The DC of "Readiness for enhanced nutrition" diagnosis was most frequently observed. A statistically significant association was seen between "follows an appropriate standard for intake" and female gender (P=0.022). Highest age mean was identified in children with clinical indicators p3<weight<p97 and diaphoresis had the highest mean age. On the other hand, capillary fragility was identified in younger children. Children with a lower average weight presented as "follows an appropriate standard for intake" (P=0.047). The diurnal somnolence was more frequent in children with lower average weight (P=0.012).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinical indicators of nutritional diagnosis are associated with anthropometric measurements and it can assist in the early identification of real or potential health problems.
authors: Facultad Metropolitana de Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil.
authors: Priscilla
authors: P
authors: de Carvalho-Medeiros
authors: Beatriz
authors: B
authors: Amorim-Beltrão
authors: Daniel Bruno
authors: DB
authors: Resende-Chaves
authors: Marcos Venícios
authors: MV
authors: de Oliveira-Lopes
authors: Viviane
authors: V
authors: Martins-da Silva
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D012578:Schools, Nursery