Rohollah Edalatkhah - Children Growth Disorder Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Mehran Karimi - Pediatrician, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Maryam Parand - Medical Student, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Majid Aflatonian - Medical Student, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

  Background: Malnutrition is one of the most important health issues especially in developing countries that can have adverse effects on physical and mental health of children, resulting in various infections. This study aims to evaluate the growth indices and nutritional status in children hospitalized at the pediatric ward of Shahid Sadoughi Hospital in Yazd, Iran in ۲۰۲۰. Methods: In this cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study, the anthropometric indices of ۱۰۰ children older than ۱ month hospitalized in the pediatric ward of Shahid Sadoughi Hospital in Yazd, Iran in ۲۰۲۰ were determined. Children's information, including age, sex, cause of hospitalization, and duration of hospitalization were extracted from the patients' medical files and recorded in a checklist. Nutritional status was assessed using weight-for-age, weight-for-height, and height-for-age criteria. Results: The prevalence of malnutrition among the studied children was ۴۰% (۱۸% acute malnutrition and ۲۲% chronic malnutrition). The prevalence of wasting, underweight, and stunting status were ۲۸%, ۲۷%, and ۲۰%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the malnutrition frequency and also the malnutrition type based on sex, age, cause of hospitalization, and duration of hospitalization (P > ۰.۰۵); however, the type of malnutrition was significantly associated with age (P < ۰.۰۵). Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of malnutrition in this study and the fact that malnutrition can lead to infections and increase the chances of hospitalization, it is recommended that all hospitalized children be evaluated and treated for malnutrition using anthropometric criteria and nutritional classifications.

Malnutrition, Anthropometric index, Pediatric