Clinical Pediatrics: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Evaluation of Malnutrition among Children Aged 2 to 60 Months Hospitalized in the Pediatric Services of Ziguinchor Hospital

Lamine Thiam, Babacar Niang, Francois Niokhor Diouf, Isabelle Jokébé Coly, Assane Dramé, Rozi Tchiou Issa, Saliou Diouf, Assane Sylla, Amadou Lamine Fall, and Ousmane Ndiaye

Introduction: Malnutrition is a public health problem in the world and especially in developing countries. The prevalence of malnutrition at the national level does not reflect the situation in hospital. It is in this context that we assessed the nutritional status of children under 5 years old hospitalized pediatric services in the municipality of Ziguinchor.
Material and methods: This was a prospective study that ran from June 1 to October 30, 2016. Included were children aged 2 to 60 months hospitalized in one of the two services. Children with esdato-ascetic syndrome were not included. Epidemiological, anthropometric data, and associated diagnosis were studied.
Results: We included 114 children (70 boys and 44 girls). The average age was 21.9 months. Forty-two point one percent (42.1%) of infants <6 months were breastfed exclusively with breast milk. The weaning of children is done early in 55.3%. The mean age of mothers was 26.6 years. The socioeconomic level was low in 62.3% of cases. The prevalence of malnutrition averaged 35.5% for underweight; 32.9% for wasting and 32.0% for stunting. Acute respiratory infections (ARI) and acute gastroenteritis were the most common associated conditions. Mean hospital stay was 8 days ± 009. About two thirds of the patients (n=72) had a hospital stay of more than 7 days. Malnutrition was significantly associated with multiparity, low socioeconomic status, hospital stay of more than 7 days and infectious diseases.
Conclusion: Infections and hospitalization lasting more than a week are factors that promote malnutrition in children under 5 years of age.