Tình trạng dinh dưỡng của trẻ viêm phổi cộng đồng từ 2–59 tháng tuổi tại Khoa Nhi, Bệnh viện Đa khoa Đức Giang năm 2024

Malnutrition remains a significant global health challenge, profoundly impacting child development and overall well-being. Globally, millions of children under five suffer from stunting, underweight, or obesity, with Vietnam also facing considerable rates of malnutrition. Undernourished children exhibit compromised immunity, increasing their vulnerability to infections, including community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Conversely, CAP can exacerbate existing nutritional deficiencies, creating a vicious cycle. Given CAP's high prevalence and its status as a leading cause of mortality in young children, understanding the interplay between infection and nutritional status is critical. This study addresses this urgent need by assessing the nutritional status of children aged 2-59 months diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia at Duc Giang General Hospital, aiming to inform targeted early intervention strategies.

Y bác sĩ nhi khoa, chuyên gia dinh dưỡng, cán bộ y tế cộng đồng và các nhà hoạch định chính sách y tế tại Việt Nam.

This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of 150 children aged 2-59 months suffering from community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) at the Department of Pediatrics, Duc Giang General Hospital, between January and September 2024. Employing a cross-sectional descriptive design, the research meticulously collected anthropometric data, including weight and height, to determine various forms of malnutrition based on WHO Z-score classifications. The findings revealed that children with CAP exhibit a concerning prevalence of poor nutritional status. Specifically, 7.3% of the study participants were underweight, 18% were stunted, and 5.3% experienced wasting malnutrition. Furthermore, 7.3% were classified as overweight or obese, indicating a dual burden of malnutrition. Moderate underweight malnutrition affected 6.0% and severe 1.3%. For stunting, 8.7% were moderately stunted and 9.3% severely stunted. Moderate wasting was observed in 5.3% of children. These results underscore that children aged 2-59 months admitted with community-acquired pneumonia are highly susceptible to nutritional deficiencies. The study emphasizes the critical need for comprehensive nutritional status assessments and the timely implementation of early intervention programs for children at risk of malnutrition, particularly those receiving inpatient treatment. This proactive approach is essential to mitigate the adverse effects of malnutrition on child health and development, thereby improving clinical outcomes for children with community-acquired pneumonia.