Protein-energy malnutrition during the first five years of life

One hundared child age 2month-5years who admitted to almansur children teaching hospital were suffering from protein energy malnutriton, analysis of the various aspects of P.E.M was done, ninty four percent of the cases were in the first and second year age group. Marasmus was more prevalant which formed 49% of the total number of the cases while under weight type of malnutrition produced 29%of the cases. Kwashirkor and marasmic kwashirkor was formed 22% of the cases which represent high percent in comparison to prevous studies. Bottle feeding was the major cause of P.E.M. in the first year age group while prolong breast feeding and mal weaning practices were the major causes in the second year age group. Gastroentritis was the major precipitating factor. 43% of the cases had incoplate vaccination course according to their age and 17%not vaccinated at all. There were no significant relation between birth order of children and increased incidence of P.E.M. but its more prevalant with family size of (10) member and above. Higher incidence of malnorished cases was found among mothers age group (21-30) years although no significant relation was found between maternal age and the incidence of malnutrition. Mothers occupation play no role in causation of P.E.M. of these cases. High percent of cases of malnutrition were found among children of mothers who were illiterate and with primary educational level. The weight and M.U.A.C were significantly affected by malnutrition,45% of cases their hight were affected wich indicate chronic state of malnutrition. And 36%of cases their head circumference were affected which indicat that malnutriton affect brain growth and later on mental development of those children.