Akbar Malik, Waqar Hussain, Sajid Maqbool, Naseer Khan.
Under nutrition and its association with mortality in hospitalized patients.
Pak Paed J Jan ;23(2):63-6.

The nutritional status (weight-for-age) of children aged 2 - 59 months, admitted in the Pediatric Ward of Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore from 1st January 1995 to 31st December 1997 was assessed. Out of 2539 admitted children, 2381 (93.8%) children were discharged in satisfactory condition, while 158 (6.2%) expired. Among the discharged patients 29% were undernourished. Of these 47%, 31% and 22% had 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree malnutritions respectively (70 - 79%), 60-69% and <60% of the median reference weight for age respectively). Compared to this 158 children who expired during this time period, 68% were undernourished. Out of these only 19% had 1st degree malnutrition whereas 2nd and third degree malnutrition was observed in 34% and 47%, respectively. Among all malnourished children (those discharged as well as those who expired) 51.4% came from families having monthly income of Rs. <3000 and only 11.2% of such children belonged to families having monthly income of Rs.6000 whereas 24% and 13.4% of the malnourished children belonged to families having monthly income of Rs. 4000 and Rs. 5000 respectively. Malnutrition is a risk factor for mortality in hospitalized children and we recommend that sick children`s nutritional status assessment and appropriate intervention become integral part of management.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com