Indicators of pediatric malnutrition in a tertiary care hospital.

摘要

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of malnutrition at a Canadian children's hospital based on medical records and to identify gaps in current practices and rates/reasons for dietitian consult. Methods: A retrospective chart audit of patients admitted during a winter season was completed. Patients with length of stay <4 days were excluded, as were those with fluid retention diseases. Outcome variables included anthropometrics, diet order, rates and reasons for dietitian consult, and biochemical data. Results: Of the 83 charts reviewed (meanSD age 7.35.6 years of age), weights were recorded less frequently than recommended (45% of patients 鈮? years of age and 85% of patients >2 years of age met or exceeded recommendations). Twenty-nine (36%) patients were identified at potential increased nutrition risk for overweight, 10 (12%) for underweight, and 31 (38%) patients had nutrition-related chart notes. Only 23 patients (28%) received a dietitian consult and, of those, 21 had a nutrition related chart note. Consultation occurred an average 5.44.96 days after admission. Conclusions: These data emphasize the need for development of standardized screening and assessment tools to better identify pediatric patients at risk for malnutrition and to improve access to optimal nutrition care.