PREVALENCE OF MALNUTRITION IN CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS B INFECTION.
BACKGROUND
There have been limited studies investigating the impact of chronic hepatitis B virus infection on the growth of children.


OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition in children with chronic hepatitis B infection.


METHODS
The nutritional status of patients was retrospectively evaluated in the outpatient Clinic of Pediatric Gastroenterology between February and November 2014. During the study, biochemical laboratory parameters, duration of disease, liver biopsy scores, and medication were evaluated. Additionally body mass index and body mass index centiles were calculated.


RESULTS
Of the 96 patients in this study, 68 were male and 28 were female, and the mean age was 144.7±43.9 months and 146.1±47.3 months, respectively. According to body mass index centiles five (5.2%) patients were underweight, seven (7.3%) patients were overweight, and seven (7.3%) patients were obese.


CONCLUSIONS
Moderate rates of malnutrition (including obesity) were found in chronic hepatitis B infection. Additional nutritional status information of healthy and sick children should be assessed in the infection's early period, and timely interventions should be initiated.
Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology-Hepatology and Nutrition, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey, Istanbul University, Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology-Hepatology and Nutrition, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul , Turkey.
Yasin
Y
Şahin
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies