Abstract

PROPORTIONS OF UNDERWIEGHT, STUNTED, AND WASTED PATIENTS AMONG LESS THAN FIVE YEARS OF AGE CHILDREN VISITING SULAIMANIA PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL

Nibras Othman Teek*, Ayid Tuma Hasan and Engy Aliakbar Amen

ABSTRACT

Aim: Determining the prevalence of underweight, wasting and stunting among children aged 5 and under in the community and addressing the factors responsible for the abnormalities in growth patterns. Introduction: Growth is an indicator for an overall well-being or chronic disease, and interpersonal and psycho logic stress. By monitoring children and families over time, pediatricians can observe the interrelationships between physical growth and cognitive, motor and emotional development. Underweight, stunting, and wasting, represent the abnormal growth pattern that are mainly a consequence of malnutrition. Patients and methods: A prospective study involving (1000) preschool children (1-5 years of age) was conducted in Sulaimania pediatric hospital in the period between October 2012 and February 2013. The weights and heights were measured and the recorded measurements were correlated with the standard weight for age, length for age and weight for length percentile curves. Results: 1000 children were involved in the study,(24%)were having an abnormal growth patterns mostly underweight's(168 patients) Most of those children with an abnormal anthropometric measures were living in a rural areas(153patients).Recent illnesses(diarrhea and respiratory infections)were observed in 'different age groups but mostly in 25-36 months of age and (85%) of those patients presented. With abnormal growth and infections, were either not immunized or had incomplete immunizations. All the (240) patients who suffered underweight's, stunting, or wasting were on bottle feeding or weaned from bottle feeding. The educational level of the mothers had a relationship with the abnormal growth of their children. Conclusions and recommendations: Children with abnormal growth pattern presented mainly with underweight and most of them were living in rural areas. Poor immunization, bottle feeding, and mother illiteracy were adversely affect child growth. Hence;health. Sthvices should direct the efforts for combating infections, improve sanitation and vaccination programmes should be expanded to reach the children routinely in remote areas. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of underweight, wasting and stunting among children aged 5 and under in the community and addressing the factors responsible for the abnormalities in growth patterns so as to put the proper steps for solutions.

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