WEIGHT LOSS IN PNEUMONIA PATIENTS AGED 6-60 MONTHS TREATED AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL 2 AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO LENGTH OF HOSPITAL STAY AND TREATMENT RESPONSE

Thi Thu Hau NGUYEN1,, Minh Chau NGUYEN2, Thi Ngoc Han DOAN2, Quynh Huong TRAN1, Thi Thao Suong TRAN1, Hoang Phong NGUYEN1, Thi Bao Thuy DOAN1, Thi Tuyet Dung NGUYEN1
1 Children Hospital No.2 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
2 Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City

Main Article Content

Abstract

Aims: To determine the rate of weight loss and the relationship between weight loss, length of hospital stay, and treatment response in pneumonia patients aged 6-60 months treated at Children's Hospital 2 (CH2).


Methods: A hospital cross-based prospective study was conducted on 208 patients aged 6-60 months diagnosed with pneumonia and treated as inpatients at the Respiratory Department 1 and 2 of CH2 from March to April 2024.


Results: The rates of weight loss after 3 days, after 7 days of hospitalization, and at discharge were 27.6%, 38.1%, and 38.0% respectively. The length of hospital stay for children with weight loss ≥ 5% after 3 days of hospitalization and at discharge was longer than for those with weight loss < 5%, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Children with weight loss ≥ 5% after 3 days of hospitalization and at discharge had a poorer treatment response compared to children with weight loss < 5% [(RR (95%CI)= 5.88 (1.71-20.1) and RR (95%CI)= 4.86 (1.95-12.1), respectively (p=0.025 and p=0.001).


Conclusion: Regulary monitoring children's weight during treatment and providing nutritional support to prevent excessive weight loss is essential to improve the treatment process and the hospital stay.

Article Details

References

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