Anthropometric assessment of nutritional status and socio-demographic characteristics in children up to 2 years of age

ABSTRACT

Malnutrition is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in children. It is important to realize that normal length and weight being attained at 1 year of age, would predict the nutritional status at 3 years of age. To asses the nutritional status and the associated socio-demographic characteristics in supposedly healthy children of up to 2 years of age and highlight the importance of anthropometric measurements in routine child health care. A cross- sectional study using purposive sampling technique was conducted on children attending well baby clinic of National Institute of Child Health, Karachi during the year 2003-2005. Anthropometric measurements i.e. height and weight, were measured and a standard questionnaire was used to interview the mothers regarding sociodemographic back ground information after a verbal informed consent and ensuring confidentiality. Height for age, weight for age and weight for height of the children were compared with the National Centre of Health Statistics [NCHS] reference population of the United States, and Z-score < -2 SD were considered as stunted, under weight and wasted respectively. Data was analyzed using SPSS software package. We observed stunting in 22%, wasting in 15% and under weight in 31.6% children. Majority of children with low weight were between 19 - 24 months of age. Regarding socio-economic status of the households, 53.8% had family income less than Rs6000 /month and almost 50% had a family size of 6-10 persons. Parents' education to the level of illiteracy [father, 27% and mother, 40%] and incomplete immunization [20%] were other associated factors for stunting, wasting and under weight. About 32% of children up to 2 years of age in the selected population were under weight, followed by stunning [22%]. Anthropometric measurement of children is a useful in routine child care settings as it will facilitate early identification and timely interventions for emerging health problems