Proportion of Malnutrition in Children of 0–60 months Attending Well Baby Clinic of Tertiary Care Hospital of Gujarat

Abstract

Protein energy malnutrition is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children under the age of five in developing countries. India being one of these countries malnutrition is a major public health problem. A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted including 200 children of 0–60 months coming at Well baby clinic of tertiary care hospital to know the proportion of malnutrition. Anthropometric measurements were taken. The mothers or care-givers coming with these children were asked about history of fever, diarrhoea and measles in last three months. Data was entered in excel sheet and analysed by using WHO Anthro software. It was found that proportion of malnutrition was 36.5% among children of 0–60 months. There was no difference in the status of malnutrition among males and females. The association of fever and malnutrition was statistically not significant (Chi square value 0.48, p value 0.49). Similarly, diarrhoea was also not significantly associated with malnutrition (Chi square value 0.53, p value 0.46).

Keywords: Malnutrition, 0–60 Months age, proportion