Nutritional status of children under 2 years old with acute respiratory infection in Vinh Phuc Hospital in 2021

Abstract

The cross - sectional study was conducted on 559 children under 2 years of age with acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital and Vinh Phuc Provincial General Hospitalfor
the purpose of describing nutritional status and several related factors. Children were weighted anthropometrically, and mothers were interviewed by a questionnaire. Results of this study revealed that the prevalence of underweight and stunting in children under 2 years old with ARIs were 6.4% and 11.6%. The prevalence of stunting increases gradually by age groups: 7.7% in < 6 months old; 11.9% in 6 - 11 months old; 17.2% in 12 - 23 months old (p =
0.028). Some factors associated with low-birthweight malnutrition includes: living in rural areas (OR = 3.6; 95%CI: 1.1 - 12.1), premature birth before 37 weeks (OR = 4.4; 95%CI: 2.9 - 10.0), low birth weight under 2500g (OR = 4.8; 95%CI: 2.1 - 11.1), inadequate intake of food at each meal (OR = 10.5; 95%CI: 2.4 - 45.0) and insufficient consumption of food groups (OR =
2.8; 95%CI: 1.2 - 6.7). The factor associated with stunting malnutrition is inadequate intake of food at each meal (OR = 2.7; 95%CI: 1.4 - 5.3). Therefore, it is necessary to implement advanced solutions to improve nutrition care practices for children to improve the nutritional status of children under 2 years of age with acute respiratory infections, thereby helping to improve health, reduce hospital stays and
reduce mortality rate in children.