Purpose: Malnutrition in hospitalized children has been
reported since the late 1970s. The prevalence of acute and
chronic malnutrition was examined in hospitalized patients in
a general pediatric unit, and the impact and management of
malnutrition were assessed.
Methods: The nutritional risk score (NRS) and nutritional status
(NS) (weight, height, body mass index, and skinfold thickness)
of children aged zero to 18 years were assessed upon hospital
admission. Growth and energy intake were monitored every
three days until discharge.
Results: A total of 173 children (median age three years, 88
girls) participated; 79.8% had a moderate to severe NRS and
13.3% were acutely and/or chronically malnourished. A high
NRS was associated with a longer hospital stay in children
older than three years (P