Đánh giá tình trạng dinh dưỡng bằng chỉ số vòng cánh tay tại Bệnh viện Nhi Trung ương

Malnutrition in hospitalized children is a significant global health concern, often exacerbated by inflammatory responses, reduced food intake, altered metabolism, and psychological stress. These factors are prevalent in acute and chronic illnesses, leading to adverse clinical outcomes and prolonged hospital stays. While traditional anthropometric measurements like weight and height are commonly used, their application can be challenging in severely ill patients or those with fluid imbalances. Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) offers a simpler, cost-effective, and objective method for nutritional assessment. This study aims to describe the nutritional status of pediatric inpatients using various anthropometric indicators and to evaluate the correlation between MUAC z-score and other anthropometric measures to enhance diagnostic accuracy in this vulnerable population.

Pediatricians, nutritionists, clinical researchers, and healthcare professionals involved in the care of hospitalized children, particularly in resource-limited settings.

This retrospective cross-sectional study sought to characterize the nutritional status of hospitalized pediatric patients and assess the relationship between mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) z-score and other anthropometric indicators. Conducted at Vietnam National Children's Hospital from August 2021 to August 2022, the study included 500 inpatients classified into four main clinical groups: severe illness, cachexia, fluid change, and acute conditions. Data analysis revealed a notably high prevalence of malnutrition within the cachexia group, with rates of underweight, stunting, wasting, and low MUAC z-score reaching 50%, 50%, 25%, and 70.5% respectively. The MUAC z-score demonstrated higher efficacy in detecting malnutrition compared to weight-for-height across all groups. Furthermore, malnourished children experienced significantly longer hospital stays (p < 0.05), underscoring the clinical impact of poor nutritional status. The specificity of the MUAC z-score as a diagnostic tool improved with the severity of malnutrition, rising from 68.6% in well-nourished children to 89.2% in those with severe cases. The findings highlight that children in the cachexia group, and generally in acutely ill hospitalized settings, face a higher risk of malnutrition. The study recommends the integration of multiple anthropometric indicators, with particular emphasis on the MUAC z-score, to enhance the accuracy of nutritional status assessment and facilitate timely intervention in hospitalized pediatric patients.