Prevalence of malnutrition & anemia in preschool children; a single center study

Autor: Hanan Mina Fouad, Aly Yousef, Ahmed Afifi, Ahmed A. Ghandour, Amira Elshahawy, Ayman Elkhawass, Hazem Hawees, Eman Shaheen, Mohamed Alaaeldin, Mostafa Kamal, Samah Bastawy, Samah Rabie, Farah Wissa, Sherine Shalaby
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Zdroj: Italian Journal of Pediatrics, Vol 49, Iss 1, Pp 1-11 (2023)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1824-7288
34441964
DOI: 10.1186/s13052-023-01476-x
Popis: Abstract Background Malnutrition including undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies are considerable problems worldwide, with variable burdens among different communities. Its complications include physical and cognitive impairment, with the probability of irreversible lifelong consequences. We aimed to assess the prevalence of undernutrition, overweight, obesity, and anemia in preschoolers, being a risk group for developmental adverse events. Methods We recruited 505 healthy preschool children, with a male: female ratio of 1.05:1. Children with chronic diseases were excluded. We used anthropometry and complete blood count to screen for malnutrition and anemia. Results The mean age of the study group was 3.8 ± 1.4 years (1.02–7). The screening results were average in 228 (45.1%) children, while 277 (54.9%) children had either abnormal anthropometry, anemia, or both. We observed undernutrition in 48 (9.5%) children; among them, 33 (6.6%) were underweight, 33 (6.6%) wasted, and 15 (3%) were stunted, with no significant difference between children aged below or above five. We identified overnutrition in 125 (24.8%); 43 (8.5%) were overweight, 12 (2.4%) were obese, and 70 (13.9%) had a high body mass index Z score, not qualifying the definition of overweight. Anemia was diagnosed in 141 (27.9%) children and was significantly more frequent among older children without gender discrimination. About 10% (50 children) had both anemia and abnormal anthropometry. The frequency of abnormal anthropometry was comparable between children with anemia and those with normal hemoglobin. Conclusion Malnutrition and anemia in preschoolers are still a heavy burden affecting about half of our study group, with an upward trend towards the overnutrition side. Anemia is still a moderate public health problem in preschoolers.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals
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