The word "child malnutrition" seems to have faded out of people's sight. In fact, although malnutrition in children has become rare, some children still have such problems. It doesn't mean that you won't be malnourished if you eat more, more expensive food and more supplements. There are also many children who are overweight but still suffer from some degree of malnutrition. Below I will introduce to you in detail the knowledge related to malnutrition in children.

1. What is malnutrition in children?

1. Malnutrition in children

Malnutrition in children medically refers to insufficient food intake or inability to fully absorb and utilize food. , resulting in lack of energy, inability to maintain normal metabolism, forcing the body to consume, manifested as weight loss or failure to gain, and growth and development stagnation.

Malnutrition is a chronic nutritional deficiency caused by insufficient calories and/or protein, also known as protein-energy deficiency malnutrition. It is generally more common in children under 3 years old.

In fact, malnutrition in children is now more common, and the incidence rate has dropped significantly. Today's malnutrition is mostly caused by improper feeding methods or disease factors in infancy, and the degree is generally relatively mild.

2. Grading

Pediatric malnutrition can be divided into three degrees according to severity: degree I is mild, degree II and III are severe.

3. Symptoms

The general symptoms of childhood malnutrition include delayed growth, short stature, dull skin and hair, pale mucous membranes, and no weight gain or even weight loss. Clinically, malnourished patients are also divided into wasting type and edema type.

Weight loss type: loose skin, reduced subcutaneous fat, thinning and inelasticity, dry and yellow hair, frequent stools with little mucus. Intelligence and movement are slow to varying degrees, body temperature is lower than normal, pulse is slow, and blood pressure is low.

Edema type: In mild cases, there is only subcutaneous edema; in severe cases, there may be pitting edema (depression when pressed) in the genitals, upper limbs, abdomen and face. A few people may have hydrops in the chest and abdomen, and a few people may also have edema in the chest and abdomen. Purple scars on the skin may occur. Sudden weight gain is a reliable sign of edema.

In addition, due to long-term malnutrition, various complications may occur, such as rickets, various infections, diarrhea, otitis media, pyelonephritis, etc.

2. The dangers of malnutrition in children

1. Within two years of age

Within two years after birth, the baby grows and develops relatively rapidly. This stage has a great impact on nutrition. The requirements are particularly high. In these two years, their head circumference increases rapidly and their brains develop rapidly. If nutritional intake is insufficient at this stage, brain development will be affected.

In the follow-up observation of malnourished babies, it was found that babies with malnutrition within 6 months after birth not only did not gain weight or grew slowly, but their intelligence and motor development also lagged behind that of ordinary babies. Even if malnutrition is corrected and weight increases in the future, the lag in intellectual development cannot be made up for.

Therefore, the consequences of malnutrition in children under two years old are particularly serious.

2. 2-3 years old

If the baby at this stage is malnourished, even if the baby is light in weight and mentally retarded, both can return to normal as long as the malnutrition is corrected.

The supply of nutrients must first meet the needs of heat energy and protein, and high-quality protein should account for 1/2-2/3 of the protein. Taurine is closely related to brain development. It is abundant in breast milk but less in cow's milk. Therefore, cow-fed babies should pay attention to supplementing taurine. Essential fatty acids should account for 1%-3% of heat energy, which is beneficial to brain development and nerve myelin formation.

3. After 3 years old

Lack of trace elements will also affect the baby’s intelligence. Iron deficiency can cause anemia. Before the symptoms of anemia appear, the baby has already shown symptoms such as irritability, memory loss, and inability to concentrate, which can lead to a decline in academic performance. These symptoms will disappear after iron supplementation.

Malnutrition in children and lack of zinc in the diet can cause the baby's blood zinc to drop, affecting physical and intellectual development.

3. Causes of malnutrition in children

1. Long-term improper feeding and insufficient calories

Mostly manifested as no breast milk or insufficient breast milk at birth, and failure to make reasonable choices The staple food is rice soup, rice cereal and other low-protein and low-calorie foods.

There is also another situation where the child is not given complementary foods in time, and at 8-9 months old, the child is given vegetable soup and porridge.

2. Sudden weaning

Children cannot be weaned in a planned and step-by-step manner, but suddenly, from juice to solid; or the original six meals a day are reduced to three meals a day. The children's gastrointestinal tract cannot adapt to the food, and it is commonly known as "milk tuberculosis" among the people.

3. Physical reasons, mostly gastrointestinal diseases

Poor gastrointestinal problems, long-term diarrhea, or physiological deformities, congenital deformities such as cleft lip, cleft palate, pyloric stenosis, and cardia Relaxation, allergic colitis, frequent vomiting, etc., affect the digestion and absorption of food.

Or have other chronic wasting diseases: hepatitis, nephritis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, lung abscess, measles, whooping cough, sepsis.

Malnutrition due to long-term fever, loss of appetite, and increased consumption.

Respiratory tract infection or diarrhea, infant eczema: due to these factors, avoid eating high-protein foods, such as not eating eggs, fish, meat for a long time and only eating vegetarian food, resulting in insufficient protein intake; or due to eczema Wean off breastfeeding and switch to rice cereal or the like.

Low-birth-weight infants, twins, multiple births, or frail infants caused by accidents such as difficult labor and asphyxia are prone to malnutrition.

4. Parasites

Parasites will take away the nutrients a child needs, causing malnutrition. The most important thing to prevent parasites is to pay attention to dietary hygiene. Wash your hands before meals and after using the toilet, disinfect tableware frequently, and wash and peel raw fruits and vegetables.

5. Partial eclipse and picky eating

Partial eclipse and picky eating will prevent children from receiving rich and balanced nutrition, resulting in malnutrition and developmental delay. The corrective method lies in the correct guidance of parents.

4. How to prevent malnutrition in children

1. Regular examinations

Regularly check the children's growth and development indicators, such as height, weight, number of deciduous teeth, etc. Deviations in growth and development of children are detected early and corrected as soon as possible.

Actively prevent and treat diseases, prevent infectious diseases, eliminate lesions, correct congenital malformations, etc.

2. Strengthen nutritional guidance

If possible, it is best to insist on breastfeeding to prevent weight loss in infancy. Premature babies have difficulty feeding due to insufficient development. On the other hand, their nutritional needs are relatively high, so breastfeeding should be emphasized.

Those with insufficient breast milk or no breast milk should supplement with milk substitutes containing high-quality protein (cow, goat milk, soy milk, fish, etc.) and avoid feeding simply with starchy foods, condensed milk or malted milk. Older children should pay attention to the correct combination of food ingredients, provide appropriate meat, eggs, and soy products, and supplement with enough vegetables.

3. Diet adjustment

Ensure adequate sleep, develop good eating habits, prevent picky eaters and partial eclipses, and do not eat too many snacks. Dietary adjustment is the basic measure to treat malnutrition. For mild malnutrition, the main task is to adjust the diet, and provide high-protein, high-calorie diet to ensure that the child is full.

Moderate and severe malnutrition follow a gradual approach. Start with low caloric intake and gradually increase the diet; the types of food also gradually increase; the increased food intake depends on the child's appetite and stool conditions. If the child eats smoothly, the caloric intake will be increased. It can be increased to 120~140 kcal per kilogram of body weight per day. After malnutrition is treated, calories are adjusted back to normal requirements.

4. Pay attention to exercise

Frequently take children outside the house, take advantage of natural conditions, breathe fresh air, get more sun, and often carry out outdoor activities and physical exercises to enhance their physical fitness. Correct bad hygiene and eating habits through appropriate physical exercise, eat regularly, and ensure adequate sleep.