A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON EFFECTS OF ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS IN CHILDREN AGED (3-36) MONTHS IN (WCWC) HOSPITAL, SOKOTO

Abstract

ABSTRACT Anthropometric measurement is a well-established practice for screening and health risk assessment especially in pediatric population to identify abnormal growth trends. The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status of children age 3-36 months in Women and Children Welfare Centre (WCWC) Sokoto. Anthropometric parameters – weight, height and Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), measurements were used for the assessment of wasting (weight for age), stunting (weight for height) and acute malnutrition respectively. At the end of the assessment, children with the smallest age group 18-29 months suffered more of malnutrition with 57.1% stunting and wasting than any other age group. Prevalence and severe acute malnutrition was higher in age group 3-17 months in hospitalized children with about 57.1% as compared to WHO cut off point of < 11.5cm for severe acute malnutrition. All care givers (mothers) were pregnant suggesting the children under assessment were weaned at a very early age and may have been introduced early to adult food, a pre disposing factor to malnutrition in children.ABSTRACT Anthropometric measurement is a well-established practice for screening and health risk assessment especially in pediatric population to identify abnormal growth trends. The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status of children age 3-36 months in Women and Children Welfare Centre (WCWC) Sokoto. Anthropometric parameters – weight, height and Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), measurements were used for the assessment of wasting (weight for age), stunting (weight for height) and acute malnutrition respectively. At the end of the assessment, children with the smallest age group 18-29 months suffered more of malnutrition with 57.1% stunting and wasting than any other age group. Prevalence and severe acute malnutrition was higher in age group 3-17 months in hospitalized children with about 57.1% as compared to WHO cut off point of < 11.5cm for severe acute malnutrition. All care givers (mothers) were pregnant suggesting the children under assessment were weaned at a very early age and may have been introduced early to adult food, a pre disposing factor to malnutrition in children.