Nutrition Screening for 2-5 Years Old Children by Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Paediatrics in Outpatient Setting

Abstract

Abstract Introduction and Aim of the work Malnutrition is the primary causative factor of pediatric mortality and repeated hospitalization. The aim of this study is to highlight the role of nutrition screening in identifying those at risk of malnutrition who may benefit from nutritional interventions and test whether the nutritional supplements are essential during nutritional rehabilitation. Patients and methods Screening for malnutrition of 3640 children at the outpatient clinic of Ain Shams Pediatric hospital by Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Paediatrics (STAMP) followed by assessing 100 patients at high risk of malnutrition by anthropometric measurements, then BMI and z scores were computed. Oral nutritional supplement was advised in the rehabilitation program only in group A. Nutritional response testing was performed by reassessment at three and six months. Results The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting were 5.9%, 15.6%, and 9.4% respectively. As per STAMP, 14.7% were found to be nutritionally at low risk, 7.3% at intermediate risk, and 5.1% at high risk compared to 72.83% without risk for malnutrition. STAMP showed a significant increase in patients at low risk and decrease in patients at high risk through follow up in both groups with better percentages in group A which coincides with improvement in anthropometric indices. Conclusion STAMP is a sensitive, quick, and easy to use nutritional screening tool with a crucial role in identifying nutrition risk at outpatient services which can lead to implementing prompt nutritional rehabilitation. Tailored nutritional plans can accomplish good response and adding a nutritional supplement to the dietary plan ensures earlier goal achievement.