Health status of siblings of hospitalized children.

OBJECTIVE: To study health status of siblings of children hospitalized for various diseases. METHODS: A total of 308 siblings of 200 hospitalized children were studied by detailed history, anthropometry, physical examination and relevant laboratory tests. RESULTS: Only 43.83% siblings were fully immunized, 25.32% partially and 30.85% were totally unimmunized. Normal nutritional status was seen in 20.43% siblings; 26.95% had grade 1, 25.64% grade II, 24.02% grade III and 2.92% had grade IV malnutrition. Various morbid conditions were observed in siblings, the common ones were vit. A deficiency (22.40%), worm infestation (21.42%), anemia (19.15%), dental caries (13.63%), ARI (13.31%), diarrhoea (12.01%), malaria (7.46%) and scabies (7.14%). CONCLUSION: The siblings of hospitalized children are in a high-risk group as they share same environment and nutrition. They have various ailments in various stages of severity. The health screening of such children will have a positive impact in promoting health and diagnosing diseases at an early stage.