Adnan Khalil, Sidra Khalid, Shahid Bashir, Humaira Waseem, Anam Naveed, Samia Tanveer, Kainat Sana.
Determinants of Malnutrition among Children Less Than Five Years of Age.
Asian J Allied Health Sci Jan ;3(4):46-50.

Malnutrition remains the most serious health problem and the single leading contributor of child morbidity and mortality among children under 5 years of age.Worldwide, malnutrition causes almost one-third of the children's deaths each year which is approximately 2.6 million even before they turn five. Objective: To find out the determinants of malnutrition in children less than 5 years of age in Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore. A sample of 350 malnourished children of both genders was selected through non probability convenient s ampling from Pr eventive Pedi a tri c s Department of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore. Data were collected through pre-tested questionnaire. SPSS version 21.0 was used for data analysis. Results: The prevalence of female malnourished children (52%) was higher than males; 48% and 56% mothers delivering babies with Caesarean while 64% children were premature at the time of birth. 54% mothers were physical abused during the pregnancy, 38% of the children did not receive exclusive breast feeding up to 6 months and only 6% mothers fed their children up to 2 years. 69% mothers were introducing weaning food after 6 months. Conclusions: Malnutrition was more prevalent in females. Major risk factors for malnutrition were pre-mature birth, lack of breas t feeding, inadequate weaning and poverty.

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