Disease and nutritional diagnostic of institutionalized children

Abstract

As a part of one survey about health conditions in institutionalized children, the nutritional status were evaluated. Data were obtained through antropometric assessment in a sample of 111 pre-school children matriculated in a small official day-care center in Perus - SP. According to Gomez, 50,0% of all that children were classified as malnourished, 23,4% of then in the I degree; 22,4% in II degree and only 4,3% in III degree. Taking into account the Waterlow's classification there was a highest frequency of cronic-actual malnutrition (30,8%) concentrated in children between 12-48 months of age. Additionally, these children presented highest incidence of infective - respiratory and intestinal diseases. These evidences lead on to the improvement of the follow-up of children growth and food consumption, specially of that under 24 meses, to attempt for an early identification of malnutrition, thus increasing the chance of nutritional recuperation.