Determination of malnutrition status in hospitalized Turkish Republic citizen and refugee children with different diagnoses

Aims: Malnutrition is defined as changes in the normal body structure due to inadequate nutrition. This study aimed to determine the malnutrition status of Turkish children and refugee children. Methods: A total of 5528 patients between the ages of 1 month and 18 years who were admitted and followed up in our pediatric health and diseases department between January 2017 and January 2020 were evaluated. The Gomez classification was used to assess malnutrition status. Demographic data, admission diagnoses, and the degree of malnutrition were retrospectively recorded by examining medical records. Both groups were compared in terms of these parameters. Results: In our study, 5528 patients between the ages between 1 month and 18 years were evaluated. The median age was 4.1 years (min:1 month, max:17 years), with 2274 (41.1%) being female and 3254 (58.9%) being male. Among the cases, 4994 (90.5%) were Turkish, 160 (2.8%) were Afghan, 198 (3.5%) were Iraqi, and 176 (3.2%) were Syrian. According to the Gomez classification, 4379 patients (79.2%) were normal and 1148 patients (20.8%) were malnourished. Among the malnourished patients, 995 (86.7%) were mildly malnourished, 117 (10.2%) were moderately malnourished, and 36 (3.1%) were severely malnourished. 44% (n=16) of severely malnourished patients were under the age of two. The malnutrition rates were 19.7%, 22.5 %, 30.8 %, and 36.4% in Turkish, Afghan, Iraqi, and Syrian patients, respectively. There was a significant difference between Syrian and Turkish patients with mild and moderate malnutrition (P <0.05). A total of 72.3% (n=830) of patients were admitted for reasons related to infections. Malnutrition is more frequently detected in patients with gastrointestinal diseases. None of the patients were admitted solely because of malnutrition. Conclusion: The rate of malnutrition was significant in both Turkish and refugee children, with higher rates observed among refugee patients admitted to the hospital. Therefore, children admitted to the hospital for any reason should be carefully evaluated for growth and development. Early recognition and appropriate treatment of malnutrition are believed to lead to faster treatment of the underlying diseases causing hospitalization and may help prevent recurrent admissions.

Keywords:

Children, Gomez Classification, Malnutrition Refugee,

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