Assess the nutritional status and pattern of illness in primary school children.

DESIGN:

Descriptive study using cross sectional survey.

STUDY PLACE:

Urban referral center.

STUDY POPULATION:

Primary School Children in Chennai Corporation.

STUDY PERIOD:

January to December 2004.

SAMPLE SIZE: 751

MANOEUVRE:

Anthropometric measures compared with NCHS Standards and screened for illnesses and deficiencies.

RESULTS:

88.7% were within the 25th percentile for weight and 58% underweight (< 3rd Percentile). Male children (64.4%) significantly undernourished than female children (51.7%) (p: 0.01). Children in the 9-12 years age group (64%) significantly undernourished than 5-8 years age group (53.9%) (p: 0.003). 40.7% of the children were stunted (Height percentile < 3rd). BMI < 5th percentile in 46.6% of children. 33% of the children were anemic. Xerophthalmia prevalent in 14.6% and > 0.5% had Bitot spots. Dental carries (24.1%) and systemic illness completed the pattern.

CONCLUSION:

There is a need to create awareness to monitor growth, micronutrient deficiency and hygiene in 5-10 years age group.

Ooty Pedicon 2005 - Conference Abstracts.Pediatric Oncall [serial online] 2005 [cited 01 December 2005];2. Available from:
http://www.pediatriconcall.com/fordoctor/Conference_abstracts/
nutrition.asp