Why Is Diagnosing Pediatric Malnutrition Important?

Nutr Clin Pract. 2017 Feb;32(1):15-18. doi: 10.1177/0884533616678767. Epub 2016 Nov 23.

Abstract

The literature indicates that pediatric malnutrition is more common than the number of times it is actually diagnosed. A new pediatric malnutrition definition is now available with criteria to make the diagnosis. If pediatric malnutrition is present, it should be diagnosed for financial, educational, and research purposes as well as the effects on patient development and mortality. These reasons extend beyond the health of an individual patient to potential impacts on society as a whole. When all of these reasons are examined and added, making the diagnosis of pediatric malnutrition becomes an obligation of the pediatric caregiver.

Keywords: child nutrition disorders; malnutrition; nutrition assessment; nutritional status; pediatrics; reimbursement.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomedical Research / methods
  • Biomedical Research / trends
  • Child
  • Child Mortality
  • Child Nutrition Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Child Nutrition Disorders / economics
  • Child Nutrition Disorders / epidemiology
  • Child Nutrition Disorders / therapy
  • Child, Preschool
  • Delayed Diagnosis / adverse effects
  • Global Health*
  • Health Care Costs
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Mortality
  • Infant Nutrition Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Infant Nutrition Disorders / economics
  • Infant Nutrition Disorders / epidemiology
  • Infant Nutrition Disorders / therapy
  • Malnutrition / diagnosis*
  • Malnutrition / economics
  • Malnutrition / epidemiology
  • Malnutrition / therapy
  • Nutrition Assessment*
  • Nutritional Status*
  • Pediatrics / economics
  • Pediatrics / education
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Prevalence
  • Professional Role
  • Workforce