The prevalence of undernutrition upon hospitalization in children in a developing country: A single hospital study from Malaysia.
Undernourished children who require hospital care have a longer duration of hospitalization and respond poorly to modern medical therapy. The objective of the present study was to ascertain the nutritional status of children admitted to a pediatric tertiary center in Malaysia and the risk factors leading to undernutrition upon admission.



In this cross-sectional, hospital-based study, anthropometric measurements [weight, length/height, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), triceps skinfold thickness were performed in 285 children aged from 3 months to 15 years who were admitted to University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur in November 2013. Acute (wasting) and chronic (stunting) undernutrition were defined as weight-for-height (WFH) and height-for-age (HFA) < -2 standard deviation (S.D.), respectively. Underweight was defined as weight-for-age < -2 S.D. For children aged between 1 and 5 years of age, World Health Organization definition for acute undernutrition (HFA < -2 S.D. and/or MUAC < 12.5 cm) was also noted.



Upon admission, the prevalence rates of acute and chronic undernutrition were 11% (n = 32) and 14% (n = 41), respectively. In addition, 7% (n = 21) had an MUAC of < 12.5 cm, 15% had body-mass index < -2 S.D., and 7% (n = 21) had triceps skinfold thickness < -2 S.D., while 17% (n = 47) were underweight. Using the World Health Organization definition of acute undernutrition, an additional eight patients were noted to have acute undernutrition (n = 40, 14%). No significant risk factors associated with undernutrition were identified.



The prevalence of undernutrition among children admitted to a tertiary hospital in Malaysia was 14%. Strategies for systematic screening and provision of nutritional support in children at risk of undernutrition as well as treatment of undernutrition in children requiring hospitalization are needed.
Department of Paediatrics, University Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; University Malaya Paediatric and Child Health Research Group, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: leews@um.edu.my.
Way-Seah
WS
Lee
Department of Paediatrics, University Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Zulfadly
Z
Ahmad
D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D013851:Thinness / Q000453:epidemiology*
hospitalization; risk factors; undernutrition