Protein-energy malnutrition: a descriptive study to evaluate risk factors in children under five years of age

ABSTRACT

To see the risk factors responsible for malnutrition in children less than five years of age in the region of Multan. A descriptive observational study. This study was conducted in the department of paediatrics, Children Hospital Complex Multan from November 2002 to October 2003. A total of 80 malnourished patients [34 males and 46 female], with 3[rd] degree malnutrition according to modified Gomez classification were included in the study. Welcome's classification was also used to assess the type of malnutrition. The age of the patients ranged from 1 month to 5 years with mean age of 21.7 months. A questionnaire comprising 25 different aspects of malnutrition was designed. Data was collected and analyzed. Out of these 80 patients, marasmus was the most frequent type of malnutrition found, followed by marasmic kwashiorkor and then kwashiorkor. Malnutrition was more frequent during first 2 years of life and number of malnourished patients decreased as the age increased. The significant risk factors predisoposing to malnutrition were illiteracy, lack of breast feeding, poverty, inadequate weaning, use of diluted milk, bottle feeding practices, vaccination failure, large family size, recurrent infections history of measles and tuberculosis. Though poverty and household income play a direct role in the development of malnutrition but illiteracy and lack of knowledge about breast feeding and weaning practices, poor awareness about immunization and family planning are the also the main contributory factors