NUTRITIONAL PRACTICES AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH MALNUTRITION AMONG CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS HOSPITALIZED FOR ACUTE DIARRHEA IN 2025

Abstract

Aims: To describe nutritional care practices before and after hospital admission and to examine their association with malnutrition among children hospitalized for acute diarrhea.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 197 children under five years of age admitted for acute diarrhea to the Gastroenterology Department of Children’s Hospital 2 (March–April 2025). Nutritional status was assessed using WHO 2006 growth standards (Z-score < −2 SD), when the patient was clinically stable at discharge . Associations between malnutrition and caregiving practices were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression models.

Results: The overall prevalence of malnutrition was 37.3%, including stunting (22.7%), underweight (19.7%), and wasting (14.6%). Prior to admission, 42.1% of children experienced reduced dietary intake, 29.4% received incorrectly prepared oral rehydration solution (ORS), and 61.4% did not receive zinc supplementation. Multivariate logistic regression (adjusted for age and sex) identified reduced dietary intake (adjusted OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1–3.5), incorrect ORS preparation (adjusted OR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.0–3.2), early complementary feeding before 4 months (adjusted OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.2–3.9), and low birth weight (adjusted OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.3–4.3) as independent predictors of malnutrition. Conclusions: Inappropriate nutritional practices prior to hospital admission were significantly associated with malnutrition in children with acute diarrhea.