PREVALENCE OF MALNUTRITION IN UNDER FIVE PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS ATTENDING OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT AND THEIR MORBIDITY PATTERN IN A TERTIARY CARE IN TELANGANA, INDIA

Abstract

Introduction: Malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are common in paediatric patients 
contributing to higher child mortality. According to National family health survey-4, 35.7 % 
of children under five years of age are underweight, 38.4 % are stunted and 21.0 % are 
wasted in 2015-2016. Even though the prevalence of malnutrition is high in under five 
paediatric patients, it remains untreated. Hence the present study was conducted to estimate 
the prevalence of malnutrition in paediatric patients attending OPD and identifying the 
morbidity pattern and associated risk factors.