ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence, risk factors, co-morbidities and case fatality rates of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) admissions at the paediatric ward of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, South-east Nigeria over a 10 year period.DesignA retrospective study using case Notes, admission and mortality registers retrieved from the Hospital’s Medical Records Department.SubjectsAll children aged 0 to 59 months admitted into the hospital on account of PEM between 1996 and 2005.ResultsA total of 212 children with PEM were admitted during the period under review comprising of 127 (59.9%) males and 85(40.1%) females. The most common age groups with PEM were 6 to 12 months (55.7%) and 13 to 24 months (36.8%). Marasmus (34.9%) was the most common form of PEM noted in this review. Diarrhea and malaria were the most common associated co-morbidities. Majority (64.9%) of the patients were from the lower socio-economic class. The overall case fatality rate was 40.1% which was slightly higher among males (50.9%). Mortality in those with marasmic-kwashiokor and in the unclassified group was 53.3% and 54.5% respectively.ConclusionMost of the admissions and case fatality were noted in those aged 6 to 24 months which coincides with the weaning period. Marasmic-kwashiokor is associated with higher case fatality rate than other forms of PEM. We suggest strengthening of the infant feeding practices by promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, followed by appropriate weaning with continued breast feeding. Under-five children should be screened for PEM at the community level for early diagnosis and prompt management as a way of reducing the high mortality associated with admitted severe cases.

Objective To determine the prevalence of specific micronutrient (iron, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, copper, folate, vitamins A, D, E and B12) deficiencies in children with intestinal failure (IF), and identify risk factors associated with developing these deficiencies. Study design A retrospective review of prospectively collected data from 178 children with IF managed by the intestinal rehabilitation program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Ohio, USA between August1st 2007 and July 31st 2012. Transition to full enteral nutrition (FEN) was defined as the period during which the patient received between 20%–100% of estimated required nutrition enterally. FEN was defined as the patient tolerating all of the estimated required nutrition (100%) enterally for > 2 weeks. Results Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) was the most common cause of IF (27.5 %). Iron was the most common micronutrient deficiency identified during (83.9%) and after (61%) successful transition to FEN with significant reduction in the percentage of patients with iron deficiency between the two periods (P=0.003). Predictors of micronutrient deficiency after successful transition to FEN include birth weight (P=0.03), weight percentiles (P=0.02), height percentiles (P=0.04) and PN duration (P=0.013). After multivariate adjustments, only PN duration remained statistically significant (P=0.03). Conclusions Micronutrient deficiencies persist in patients with IF during and after transition to enteral nutrition. These data support the need for routine monitoring and supplementation of these patients especially those on prolonged PN.

Objectives To determine the prevalence and predisposing factors for vitamin D deficiency and low bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with intestinal failure (IF). Methods A retrospective review of patients with IF managed at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. IF was defined as history of parenteral nutrition (PN) >30 days. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25-OH vitamin D [25(OH) D] < 20ng/dL. Reduced bone mineral density (BMD) was defined using dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) Z-score ≤− 2. A binary logistic regression model was used to test for association of significant risk factors and the outcome variables after univariate analyses. Results One hundred and twenty three patients with median age of 4 years (range 3–22 years) were evaluated. Forty-nine (39.8%) patients had at least a documented serum 25 (OH) D deficiency during the study interval while 10 out of 80 patients (12.5%) with DXA scans done had a low BMD Z-score. Age at study entry was associated with both 25 (OH) D deficiency (P= 0. 01) and low BMD Z-score (P = 0. 03). Exclusive PN at study entry was associated with reduced bone mass (P=0.03). There was no significant association between vitamin D deficiency and low BMD Z-score (P=0.31). Conclusion The risk of 25 (OH) D deficiency and low BMD Z-score increases with age among patients with IF. Strategies for monitoring and preventing abnormal bone health in older children receiving exclusive PN need to be developed and evaluated.

There is still a high burden of protein–energy malnutrition in Nigeria. The severe forms of the disease are usually associated with high level of mortality even in the tertiary health facilities. To review the cost-effective health promotional strategies at community levels that could aid prevention, early detection, and prompt treatment of protein–energy malnutrition. The strategy used for locating articles used for this review was to search databases like Google, Google scholar, relevant electronic journals from the universities’ libraries, including PubMed and Scirus, Medline, Cochrane library and WHO's Hinari. We believe that strategies beyond the health care setting have potential of significantly reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with protein–energy malnutrition in Nigeria.