Nutritional status related to a hematological condition and parasitic infections in children supported by Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF)

Abstract

Malnutrition is a condition affecting mostly children younger than five years. ICBF supports many nutritional programs, which is trying to improve the nutritional status for children younger than 5 five years. Objective: describe nutritional status related to a hematological condition and parasitic infections in two groups of children participating in programs such as the “Hogares comunitarios” (HC) and “Desayunos Infantiles” (DI) supported by the ICBF in zone 1 Medellin-Co­lombia. Methods: it is a cross-sectional study, 164 children were recruted, data was collected, applying questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and evaluating blood and stool samples. Results: 47,1% of the subjects were boys, mean age was 3 years, 56,6% of the children were in the lowest social economic level, mainly children participating in HC program. The average for weight was 14,4kg, no statistical significant differences between groups were found, but 45% of the children classified for chronic malnutrition risk, 32% for global malnutrition and 14% for acute malnutrition. According to the age 21% of the population studied had low hemoglobin level and 11% has low hematocrit level. No significant statistics between groups for hematological markers were found. Parasitic infection was present in 67%, they were mainly infected by Giardia lamblia. Conclusion: malnutrition and anemia was prevalent in this population. It is necessary to encourage and support programs that should benefit children and their families, improving education and social economic conditions could help to improve their nutritional status.