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.