Prevalence of malnutrition in the children hospitalize in the pediatric service of CHU Gabriel Touré (Bamako) of may 2011 to april 2012

Abstract

Introduction: Severe acute malnutrition is a public health problem in Mali especially among children under 5 years of age. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of malnutrition in the Department of Pediatrics of Gabriel Touré hospital, to identify the types of malnutrition and to determine the future of these malnourished children in the short term. Material and method: This is a prospective study that concerned all children aged 0 to 15 years hospitalized in general pediatrics and pediatric emergencies between May 2011 and April 2012. Results: A total of 6573 children were included. Malnutrition accounted for 54.1% of hospitalizations, or 3553 cases (54.8% boys and 45.2% females). The average age for admission was 24.5 months (extreme 5 months-15 years). The reason for consultation was the deterioration of the general state in 30.3% of the cases. According to the Height/Age index, 40.9% of patients were stunted with 20% of the severe form. According to the Weight/Age index, 37.8%, including 24% of severe form. According to the Weight/Height index, 21.3% were emaciated with 93.9% of severe form (slump 75.8%, Kwashiorkor 16.1% and mixed form 2%). Emaciation was more frequent before 2 years or 16% a when underweight and stunting were more frequent after 2 years, respectively 27% and 28% of cases. The most common associated pathologies were dehydration 25%, anemia 19%, pneumonia 18% and malaria 17%. The evolution was favorable in 89.3% of cases of acute malnutrition and mortality was 3.1% which is below the alert threshold of 10%. Conclusion: The rate of malnutrition remainder still raises in the service from where interest to stress the activities of prevention.