Prevalencia y grado de desnutrición al ingreso en pacientes pediátricos de 6 meses a 5 años de edad con gastroenteritis aguda. Hospital General Guasmo Sur durante el periodo de enero a junio del año 2019.

Abstract

Background: The presence of malnutrition predisposes to a disorder of immune function and the increased risk of gastrointestinal infections. Objective: To determine the prevalence and degree of malnutrition in pediatric patients diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis. Materials and methods: Descriptive, observational, retrospective, non-experimental study based on clinical records of pediatric patients admitted to HGGS, diagnosed with acute Gastroenteritis in the period from January to June 2019. Obtain a universe of 160 patients from which recorded a sample of 108 patients between 6 months to 5 years of age Results: The average age was 24 2 years, the average hospital stay was 4 days. The global prevalence of malnutrition on admission was 43%, which was constituted by 66% of male patients. 50% of young infants who are exclusively mildly malnourished. 15% of older infants presented malnutrition upon admission, divided into: 80% mild and 20% moderate. 47% of preschoolers listed malnutrition parameters in which 57% corresponded to a level of malnutrition, 31% moderate and 12% severe, being the only age group to present this degree of malnutrition. Conclusion: Malnutrition in pediatric patients is considered as a risk factor for the development of acute gastroenteritis.