The risk of under-nutrition in hospitalised Malaysian children: use of 3-minute nutrition screening-paediatrics (Paediatric 3-MinNS)

Authors

  • Pei Sien Yeo Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Hazreen Abdul Majid Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.9616

Keywords:

Hospitalised children, Nutrition, Screening tool

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the under-nutrition risk of children admitted to hospitals using a validated tool.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2017 to June 2018 in the paediatrics wards of a tertiary referral paediatric government hospital, a tertiary teaching hospital and a government district hospital in Malaysia. The sample comprised paediatric patients aged 2-12 years within 24-72 hours of hospital admission. Data was collected using the 3-Minute Nutrition Screening-Paediatrics tool.

Data was analysed using SPSS 20.

Results: Of the 341 patients screened, 284(83.3%); 170(59.9%) boys and 114(40.1%) girls. The overall median age was 4.85 years (interquartile range: 4.33 years). The median length of hospital stay was 3 days (interquartile range: 3 days). There were 72(25.4%) participants at high under-nutrition risk, with the highest proportion being at the district government hospital 31(33%). Among those with high risk, 5.4% subjects had severe acute malnutrition, 9.7% had severe chronic malnutrition, and 11.1% had severe thinness.

Conclusion: The 3-Minute Nutrition Screening-Paediatrics scale was found to be effective as a nutrition screening tool for hospitalised children in Malaysia.

Key Words: Hospitalised children, Nutrition, Screening tool.

Published

2024-05-24

How to Cite

Yeo, P. S., & Abdul Majid, H. (2024). The risk of under-nutrition in hospitalised Malaysian children: use of 3-minute nutrition screening-paediatrics (Paediatric 3-MinNS). Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 74(6), 1074–1078. https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.9616

Issue

Section

RESEARCH ARTICLE