European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

ABSTRACT: Background: Malnutrition refers to undernutrition as well as obesity. Anthropometric measurements are commonly used to assess nutritional status. According to estimates, 36% of Indian children are stunted and 32% are underweight ^[1]. Severe malnutrition raises the risk of illnesses, particularly in severely ill children.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To study the incidence of Protein Energy Malnutrition in age groups of 6 months – 5 years, admitted to this hospital.

2. To find out the major etiological factors causing Protein Energy Malnutrition in children aged 6 months to 5 years.

3. To study the clinico - investigative profile associated with Protein Energy Malnutrition in children.

Material & Methods: Study Design:  Hospital based Prospective Observational study. Study area:  Department of Paediatrics, Government Medical College, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh. Study Period:  1 year.  Sample size: Study consisted of 137 cases. Sampling Technique: systematic random sampling method.  Study tools and Data collection procedure: Procedure - All the admitted cases with Protein Energy Malnutrition as per Wellcome-Trust classification were enrolled in the study. Out of these, every fifth case was selected as per systematic random sampling method. Etiology and Clinico-investigative profile of these cases were studied. Patients were admitted, detailed history was taken and examination done. Relevant investigations were sent; data was collected and statistically analyzed. Method: Every fifth case out of enrolled cases was selected. After admission detailed history including age, sex, socioeconomic status, presenting symptoms, past illnesses including gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections, family history including parent child relationship, detailed dietary history, birth and immunization history and developmental history was taken. Thorough clinical examination was done to assess the nutritional status of patients which includes weight, height, mid arm circumference and head circumference.Results: Most of the malnourished children were weaned at the ages of 6 months to one year. Only 25% of the children were weaned between the ages of 1 to 11/2 year and it was statistically significant. (p<0.05). Most of the children suffering from SCU were from families having children four or more than four and statistically significant. (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the findings of this study, malnutrition was quite common among children in low- and middle-income nations. India has a substantial number of stunted and wasted youngsters. SAM was more common in infants and children from rural communities. It was strongly connected with poor feeding practices, including a lack of breast feeding and the existence of mixed and incorrect feeding.