EFFECT OF HOSPITALIZATION ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN PEDIATRICS PATIENTS ADMITTED IN D.Y. PATIL HOSPITAL, NAVI MUMBAI

Clinical Nutrition and Nutraceutical

Background: The role of nutrition in the care of hospitalized malnourished patients is paramount, playing a crucial part in the overall management and recovery process. Malnutrition in hospitalized individuals is associated with a range of adverse outcomes, including delayed wound healing, increased susceptibility to infections, prolonged hospital stays, and a higher likelihood of readmission. Addressing malnutrition through appropriate nutritional interventions is essential for improving patient outcomes. Objective: The primary objective is to assess the nutritional status of children at the time of admission and at the time of discharge. Secondary objective focuses on analysing possible factors corresponding to changes in nutritional status and to identify associations between the length of hospital stay and changes in nutritional status. Methodology: The study conducted was an observational study that included 100 children from D.Y. Patil Hospital, Navi Mumbai. The children were selected through convi sampling and according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data of patients was collected after consents of the patients through personal interviews of the subject or the relatives of the subject with the help of a questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of demographic details of the patients, and anthropometric measurements like height, weight and muac. Diagnosis, days in hospital, dietary information like food preferences, type of feed, reduced eating / feeding, uninetional weight loss or gain and plotting of growth chart is been done to check whether child is growing within normal ranges. The patient nutritional scoring was done through validated pediatric assessment form. The patient was reassessed at the time of discharge. Result: Findings of the study showed that the maximum number of patients included in the study were male (63%) as compared to the females (37%). The food habits of the majority of the patients were non-vegetarian (85%), and the remaining (15%) were vegetarian. Out of 100 patients average age was 6.65 years, with a median of 7 years, indicating a diverse age range. Upon admission, 77% of children were normal weight, with notable variations in height and weight. During their 6.23-day hospital stay, there was a slight decrease in weight upon discharge, while the median weight remained stable. Age distribution showed 46% between 1 to 6 years and 54% between 6 to 12 years. Common diagnoses included fever (14%), abdominal pain (9%), and acute febrile illness (6%). Symptoms were reported by 46% of children, with diarrhea (12%), anorexia (30%), and vomiting (5%) being prevalent. Nutritional screening identified possible implications for 35% of children, indicating resource limitations or risk factors. Risk factors for malnutrition varied across demographics, hospital stay duration, symptoms, nutritional changes, and growth centile spaces. Shorter stays (<5 days) correlated with 72% at low risk, while longer stays (>7 days) correlated with 66.7% at high risk. Falling within certain growth centile spaces, like >3, indicated a heightened risk, with 100% in this category being at high risk. Conclusion: Hospitalization significantly impacts pediatric patients’ nutrition. Detailed assessments at admission and discharge reveal challenges, influenced by demographics, diets, and health. Males and non-vegetarian diets predominate, affecting outcomes. Most enter with normal weight but show variations in height and weight. Common symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting complicate nutrition. Screening reveals risk factors, necessitating early intervention. Longer stays correlate with higher nutritional risks, requiring tailored support. Some children experience weight loss despite improved growth.

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