Title: Nutritional Status of Underfive Children in Urban Slum Area of Varanasi
Authors: Dr Kavita Baranwal, Dr Shalini Singh
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i7.113
Abstract
Objectives
1-To study the prevalence of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) in under five children (1-5 years age)
2-To study the role of PEM related deficiency sign in clinical diagnosis of PEM
Study Design: A cross-sectional study
Study Settings: Deptt. Of PSM, I.M.S., B.H.U., Varanasi
Study Subject: 400 children of under five age group (1-5years) of urban field practice area (Sunderpur community)
Study Period: July1999 to July 2000
Result: In the present study screening of PEM by weight for age,mid-arm circumference and BMI(SR index) have revealed that prevalence of PEM was by and large same i.e. 63.3,65.3 and 63.5 percent respectively. By ‘weight for age’ criteria using IAP classification, it was found that 41.5% children were in grade III, 16.5% in grade II, whereas 5.5% were in grade III or severe grade of PEM. Prevalence of PEM related deficiency signs revealed that loss of subcutaneous fat and muscle wasting was present in 23.3% children, Among the hair changes lack of lusture (23.0%),thin hairs(19.3%), dyspigmentation (15.8%) were the commonly observed finding and psychomotor changes in form of irritability(14.8), was the commonest observation. When these deficiency signs were matched with PEM status (PEM children with deficiency signs), it emerged that all the 93 children who had loss of S.C. fat and muscle wasting, presented with PEM. Very high percent of children with psychomotor changes and hair changes, were observed to be associated with PEM.
Keywords: Mid arm circumference, Singh & Rao index, Nutritional deficiency sign.