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Issue: Vol. 22 No. 4 (2026)
Section: ORIGINAL RESEARCH
DOI: 10.56283/1859-0381/1125
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DANG TNS, LUU TMT, NINH TPM, LE TTP. NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN CHILDREN UNDER 3 YEARS OLD WITH RECURRENT WHEEZING AT E HOSPITAL IN 2025–2026. Tạp chí Dinh dưỡng và Thực phẩm. 2026;22(4):189-198. doi:10.56283/1859-0381/1125

NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN CHILDREN UNDER 3 YEARS OLD WITH RECURRENT WHEEZING AT E HOSPITAL IN 2025–2026

Thi Ngoc Sen DANG1, Thi My Thuc LUU2, , Thi Phuong Mai NINH1, Thi Thu Phuong LE1
1 E Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
2 Vietnam National Children's Hospital

Main Article Content

Abstract

Objective: To describe the nutritional status of children under 3 years of age with recurrent wheezing hospitalized at E Hospital from 2025 to 2026.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 69 children aged 2 to 36 months diagnosed with recurrent wheezing (≥ 3 episodes/12 months) admitted to the Department of General Pediatrics, E Hospital, between January 2025 and June 2026. Nutritional status was evaluated using anthropometric measurements classified according to the WHO Child Growth Standards (2006) and serum quantification of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], iron, and zinc.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 20.33 ± 7.94 months, with males accounting for 53.6%. The prevalence rates of underweight, stunting, and wasting were 1.4%, 15.9%, and 2.9%, respectively, whereas the proportions of children at risk of underweight, stunting, and wasting were 40.6%, 53.6%, and 7.2%, respectively. Serum 25(OH)D levels < 30 ng/mL were observed in 49.3% of children, severe vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/mL) in 13.0%, zinc deficiency in 47.8%, and iron deficiency in 69.6%. An inadequate diet was associated with an increased risk of underweight (OR = 4.29; 95% CI: 1.48–12.41; p = 0.006) and stunting (OR = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.02–0.92; p = 0.041). Oral vitamin D supplementation significantly reduced the risk of severe 25(OH)D deficiency (OR = 20.63; p < 0.001) and was an independent protective factor against stunting (OR = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.001–0.49; p = 0.017) and wasting (OR = 0.001; 95% CI: 0.000006–0.14; p = 0.007). A treatment duration > 7 days during the acute episode was associated with a 5.0-fold higher risk of severe 25(OH)D deficiency (95% CI: 1.04–23.81; p = 0.044).

Conclusion: Although the rate of overt malnutrition was low, the proportion of children at risk of malnutrition was notably high. Micro nutrient deficiencies (iron, zinc, and vitamin D) were highly prevalent among children under 3 years old with recurrent wheezing at E Hospital. Current dietary intake, duration of treatment per episode, and oral vitamin D supplementation were strongly associated with nutritional outcomes. Early nutritional screening and intervention should be integrated into the comprehensive management of pediatric recurrent wheezing.

Keywords

Nutritional status, Micronutrients, Recurrent wheezing, Children under 3 years, E Hospital

Article Details

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