This prospective cohort study aims to assess the nutritional status of critically ill children aged 1 month to 5 years admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit using a comprehensive ABCD approach including anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary assessment within 48 hours of admission, and to evaluate its association with clinical outcomes including duration of mechanical ventilation, length of PICU stay, and mortality.
Malnutrition is common among critically ill children in PICU with prevalence around 37 percent. This study will include children admitted to PICU at Assiut University Children Hospital with expected stay greater than 48 hours. Nutritional status will be assessed within 48 hours using anthropometric measurements weight height body mass index mid-upper arm circumference skinfold thickness, biochemical markers albumin prealbumin total protein C-reactive protein electrolytes, clinical examination for muscle and fat loss, and dietary intake. Children will be followed up to 30 days for clinical outcomes.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
103
Nutritional status at PICU admission assessed by ABCD approach
Number of children classified as malnourished based on comprehensive ABCD assessment including anthropometric measurements body mass index z-score mid-upper arm circumference skinfold thickness, biochemical markers albumin prealbumin total protein, clinical signs of muscle and fat loss, and dietary intake, obtained within 48 hours of PICU admission
Time frame: At baseline within 48 hours of admission
Duration of mechanical ventilation
Length of mechanical ventilation in days
Time frame: Up to 30 days
Length of PICU stay
Length of stay in the pediatric intensive care unit in days
Time frame: Up to 30 days
PICU mortality
Number of children who die during PICU stay
Time frame: Up to 30 days
Feeding intolerance and refeeding syndrome
Number of children who develop feeding intolerance or refeeding syndrome during PICU stay
Time frame: Up to 30 days
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