Document Type : original article
Authors
- Ali Chamani 1
- Mohsen Nematy 1
- Faezeh Mashhadi 1
- Mohammad Safarian 1
- Majid Sezavar 2
- Maryam Emadzadeh 3
- Gholamreza Khademi 4
- Fatemeh Roudi 1
1 Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2 Department of pediatrics, Mashhad university of medical sciences,mahshhad,iran
3 Clinical Research Development Unit, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
4 sheikh hospital, mashhad university of medical sciences, mashhad ,iran
Abstract
Background:
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition triggered by infection and is a global health priority. Among children, sepsis causes many deaths and affects one-third of those in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs). Malnutrition in children, especially those in PICUs, increases susceptibility to sepsis. Critically ill children, particularly those with sepsis are at high risk of malnutrition. Knowing the nutritional status at the start of hospitalization and patient management, planning and decision-making is of particular importance
Method:
A Cross-sectional study conducted at Akbar Children's Hospital in Mashhad involved 54 children aged one month to 10 years with sepsis. Anthropometric measurements including weight, height/length, BMI, and Z-scores were evaluated/calculated. Malnutrition was diagnosed using the weight for height Z score, where a Z score of (-2) or lower indicated moderate or severe malnutrition. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22.0, with significance considered at P values less than 0.05.
Results:
The study included 54 septic patients in the PICU, including 53.7% girls and 46.3% boys. The mean age was 37 months, and mean body weight and height were 13.62 kg, and 88.85 cm, respectively. Malnutrition was found in 18.5% of the studied patients as moderate and 13% as severe grades, while 68.5% had a normal nutritional status.
conclusion:
Malnutrition is prevalent among critically ill septic patients, indicating a crucial need for prompt intervention. Regular nutritional assessments and early, intensified nutritional support considering evidence-based local protocols, are essential to ensuring adequate energy and nutrients, potentially leading to improved outcomes for these vulnerable patients.
Keywords
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