A STUDY TO ASSESS THE PREVALENCE AND CAUSES OF MALNUTRITION AMONG UNDER FIVE CHILDREN ATTENDING PAEDIATRICS O.P.D OF GGSMCH, FARIDKOT, PUNJAB.

INTRODUCTION: The importance of first five years of child for growth and development is well-known. Any adverse influence operating on children during this period e.g. malnutrition may result in severe limitations in their development some of which are irreversible. Health and malnutrition problem during childhood are the result of associated range of factors, most of which particularly in unprivileged populations are related to unsatisfactory food intake or severe repeated infection or combination of both. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted in Paediatric OPD of Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot on 400 under five children and their biological parents. Malnutrition among children was assessed by using anthropometric measurement, clinical observation and haemoglobin estimation and self-structured checklist was used to assess the associated causes of Malnutrition. RESULTS: The Prevalence of malnutrition among under five children as per IAP classification criteria was 17.25% out of that 7.2% were grade 1 malnourished, 5.5% were grade 2 malnourished, 3.8% were grade 3 malnourished and 1% has grade 4 malnutrition. As per WHO classification of weight for age 81.25% were having normal nutritional status, 10.25% were underweight, 8.0% were severely malnourished, and 0.25% were overweight and obese. As per the WHO classification height for age 85.5% were having normal nutritional status, 11.25% children were stunted and 3.25% were severely malnourished. As per the WHO classification of weight for height 80.0% children were having normal nutritional status, 12.5% were wasted and 7.5% were severely wasted and the prevalence of anaemia among under five children was 4.3%. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the prevalence of anaemia among under five children was 4.3%. There are a number of causes associated with malnutrition, some of which are, families do not have food availability from family garden, babies were not put on breast feed soon after birth, mothers do not wash fruits and vegetables before cutting, and children were not on exclusive feeding for six month and so on. Thus there should be screening programmes or facilities for the children so that malnutrition can be detected and treated at the earliest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]