NATIONAL NUTRITION ASSESSMENT PROGRAM FOR A HOSPITALIZED CHILD

Objective: Discussion and exchange of information and experiences about the nutritional assessment practices of hospitalized children as well as the utilization of existing potential and potential in terms of manpower and team therapy in the diagnosis and treatment of child nutrition.Description of available status: The nutritional status of children after hospitalization is usually not desirable. According to studies conducted in the world, approximately 50% of children admitted to internal and surgical departments are at risk of nutrition, and between 16% and 34% of children admitted to hospital are somewhat malnourished or at risk of alnutrition. Malnutrition reduces growth and increases the susceptibility to various infections.Hospital malnutrition causes complications in the treatment process and increases the duration of the child s admission and, ultimately, increases patient costs. Malnutrition in the hospital is often overlooked by authorities, nurses and doctors while can prevent malnutrition by taking timely action. Method and Material: In this study, three groups of screening, assessment and follow-up of the nutritional status of children approved by the Scientific-Executive Committee composed of members of the Clinical Nutrition Department of the, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, faculty members of the Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Research Center, Research Institute for Childern s Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran and Emam Reza Hospital of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. A statistical adviser from the Alborz University of Medical Sciences also conducted a sample of this study. Results: Getting opinions from residents, pediatricians and nutrition experts on how to correct and complete the forms. Remove unnecessary items in nutritional assessment formsTransparency of cooperation between pediatricians and nursing staff in patient referral to a nutrition expert Nurses were identified as the most important and reliable personnel for early screening of children at the time of hospitalization due to the most exposure and duration of patient care. The need for child nutrition protocols for nutritionists has been identified.The need for early anthropometric evaluations such as scales and height gauges was identified as the most basic and essential screening tool for nurses and for assessors for nutritionists.Conclusion: Nutritional assessment requirements for children s departments Scales and height meter in all parts of the hospital Executive instruction for trainers (doctors, nurses and nutritionists). The existence of growth charts by separation: girl and boy, Under 5 years of age and over 5 years Weight for height/length (for under 5 years) BMI for age (for over 5 years). Special form if needed (such as Down syndromes and Turner) There is a primary nutrition assessment section in the patient s primary care form (nurse) There is a special form of nutrition assessment and nutrition status tracking (Nutritionist)