Usefulness of the StrongKids Screening Tool in Detecting Anemia and Inflammation in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients.

Objective: To assess whether the nutritional risk classified by StrongKids is associated with anemia and inflammation (total leukocytes and C-reactive protein (CRP)), as well as to compare the ability of StrongKids with anthropometry in identifying these changes in hospitalized pediatric patients.Methods: Cross-sectional study with patients admitted to the pediatric ward of a public hospital in Brazil, from 2014 to 2018. The experimental protocol included: nutritional risk screening by StrongKids; weight and height measurements; and biochemical tests (complete blood count and C-reactive protein - CRP). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated to assess the ability of StrongKids and anthropometry to identify patients with the biochemical changes.Results: The study included 482 patients (54.2% male), with a median age of 2.7 years. The frequency of nutritional risk (medium or high) was 85.9% and the prevalence of malnutrition (acute and/or chronic) was 20.2%. Overall, of the patients evaluated, 40.2% had anemia, 28.2% leukocytosis, and 78.0% high CRP. Children and adolescents classified as at nutritional risk (moderate/high) had lower levels of hemoglobin and higher levels of CRP and total leukocytes, as well as a higher frequency of leukocytosis, high CRP and the three alterations combined when compared with individuals at low risk. No association was found between anthropometric variables and biochemical alterations. The sensitivity of nutritional screening was high to detect all biochemical alterations and was superior to the anthropometric assessment.Conclusion: StrongKids was associated with alterations in biochemical parameters with a better performance than anthropometry.

STRONGkids nutrition screening tool in pediatrics: An analysis of cutoff points in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Studies have indicated the Screening Tool for Risk on Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONGkids) as a method of pediatric nutrition screening with good validity in the hospital setting. However, we need to analyze whether the cutoff values originally proposed are suitable for use in Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in patients admitted to the pediatric ward of a public hospital. STRONGkids was used to assess nutrition risk (low risk, 0 points; moderate risk, 1-3 points; and high risk, 4-5 points). The indexes weight/height or body mass index/age were used to indicate acute malnutrition, and length or height/age was used to indicate chronic malnutrition. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed and the areas under the curve were calculated, with respective 95% confidence intervals, to assess the ability of STRONGkids to predict malnutrition and longer hospital stay. RESULTS: The study included 599 patients, with a median age of 2.6 years. The frequency of nutrition risk (medium or high) was 83.6%. In comparison with anthropometric indexes, STRONGkids was the only scoring system with the discriminatory capacity to identify patients with longer hospital stays. The comparative analysis of the means of hospital stay according to STRONGkids showed that patients with a score equal to 3 behaved similarly to those classified as high nutrition risk (4-5 points). CONCLUSIONS: Considering the best cutoff point to predict prolonged hospitalization, STRONGkids used in Brazil should consider patients with 3 points as having high nutrition risk, as well those scoring 4 and 5.

Nutrition Risk Assessed by STRONGkids Predicts Longer Hospital Stay in a Pediatric Cohort: A Survival Analysis.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the impact of Screening Tool for Risk on Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONGkids) classification in time to discharge and verify whether the nutrition risk assessed by this method is an independent predictor of hospital length of stay (LOS) in pediatric inpatients. METHODS: A cohort study was conducted in a Brazilian hospital from February 2014 to July 2018. The outcome in the survivor analysis was hospital discharge. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate the cumulative survival time according to STRONGkids categories. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were fitted, and the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), with respective 95% CI, was used to measure the strength of association. The discriminatory ability of STRONGkids was verified by a receiver operating characteristic curve RESULTS: A total 641 patients were included in the study: 54.9% males, median age of 2.8 years. The frequencies of low, moderate, and high nutrition risk were 15.6%, 63.7%, and 20.7%, respectively. The mean LOS was 5.9 days. Survival curves differed significantly according to nutrition-risk categories. Patients classified as high risk had a 52% less chance of hospital discharge when compared with low-risk patients (aHR: 0.48; 95% CI, 0.35-0.65). STRONGkids score ≥ 3 showed the best discriminatory power to identify LOS. From this score, there was a significant increase in the days of hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The nutrition risk assessed by STRONGkids independently predicts LOS in pediatric patients. For this outcome, patients with 3 points (moderate risk) should be treated with the same priority as those with high risk.

StrongKids for pediatric nutritional risk screening in Brazil: a validation study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the validity and reproducibility of StrongKids as a pediatric nutritional screening tool in Brazil, which has no validated method for this purpose. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 641 patients admitted to the pediatric care unit of a public hospital from 2014 to 2018. The concurrent validity was assessed by evaluating the sensitivity, specificity, and the positive and negative predictive values of StrongKids in detecting acute, chronic, and overall malnutrition. Predictive validity was determined by calculating the same indices to identify longer than median hospital stay, need of enteral nutrition, 30-day hospital readmission, transfer to hospitals with more complex procedures, and death. StrongKids was reapplied to a subsample to evaluate the inter-rater reproducibility. RESULTS: Prevalence of low risk was 15.6%, moderate risk was 63.7%, and high nutritional risk was 20.7%. A positive test, corresponding to the moderate or high risk category, identified all those with acute malnutrition and showed sensitivity of 89.4% (95% CI: 76.9-96.4) and 94.0% (95% CI: 86.6-98.0) for the detection of chronic and overall malnutrition, respectively. Regarding its predictive capacity, 100% of the patients who needed enteral nutrition, who were transferred, died, or were readmitted to hospital within 30 days after discharge were considered in risk by StrongKids, and the sensitivity to identify those with prolonged hospital stays was 89.2 (95% CI: 84.6-92.7). The inter-rater agreement was excellent (PABAK: 0.87). CONCLUSIONS: StrongKids had satisfactory validity and reproducibility and successfully identified nutritional deficits and predict unfavorable health outcomes. Our results support the use of StrongKids as a pediatric nutritional risk screening method in Brazil.

The importance of dysphagia screening and nutritional assessment in hospitalized patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine frequency of dysphagia risk and associated factors in hospitalized patients as well as to evaluate nutritional status by using different methods and correlate the status with scores of the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study including 909 inpatients of a philanthropic hospital. For the diagnosis of dysphagia we used an adapted and validated Brazilian version of the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10). The nutritional status was evaluated through the subjective global assessment, and anthropometric measurements included weight, calf and arm circumference, and knee height. The Mann-Whitney test, associations using the Pearson's χ2 and Spearman's correlation were used to verify differences between the groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of dysphagia risk was 10.5%, and aging was the associated factor with this condition. Patients at risk presented lower values of arm and calf circumference, variables that correlated inversely with the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) score. Malnutrition was observed in 13.2% of patients based on the subjective global assessment and in 15.2% based on the Body Mass Index. CONCLUSION: Screening for dysphagia and malnutrition should be introduced in hospitals routine to avoid or minimize damages caused by dysphagia or malnutrition, especially among older people.

The importance of dysphagia screening and nutritional assessment in hospitalized patients / Importância do rastreamento de disfagia e da avaliação nutricional em pacientes hospitalizados

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine frequency of dysphagia risk and associated factors in hospitalized patients as well as to evaluate nutritional status by using different methods and correlate the status with scores of the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 909 inpatients of a philanthropic hospital. For the diagnosis of dysphagia we used an adapted and validated Brazilian version of the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10). The nutritional status was evaluated through the subjective global assessment, and anthropometric measurements included weight, calf and arm circumference, and knee height. The Mann-Whitney test, associations using the Pearson's χ2 and Spearman's correlation were used to verify differences between the groups. Results: The prevalence of dysphagia risk was 10.5%, and aging was the associated factor with this condition. Patients at risk presented lower values of arm and calf circumference, variables that correlated inversely with the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) score. Malnutrition was observed in 13.2% of patients based on the subjective global assessment and in 15.2% based on the Body Mass Index. Conclusion: Screening for dysphagia and malnutrition should be introduced in hospitals routine to avoid or minimize damages caused by dysphagia or malnutrition, especially among older people.

RESUMO Objetivo: Verificar a prevalência do risco de disfagia e seus fatores associados em pacientes hospitalizados, bem como avaliar o estado nutricional por diferentes métodos e correlacioná-los à pontuação do Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10). Métodos: Estudo de delineamento transversal, realizado com 909 pacientes internados em um hospital filantrópico. Para o rastreamento de disfagia, foi aplicado o Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) em sua versão adaptada para o Brasil. O diagnóstico nutricional foi realizado por meio da avaliação global subjetiva e pela aferição de medidas antropométicas. A diferença entre os grupos foi verificada pelo teste de Mann-Whitney e as associações, pelo χ2 de Pearson e correlação de Spearman. Resultados: A prevalência do risco de disfagia foi de 10,5%, sendo a faixa etária idosa um fator associado a esta condição. Pacientes em risco apresentaram valores inferiores de perímetro do braço e panturrilha, variáveis que se correlacionaram de forma inversa à pontuação do Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10). A desnutrição foi identificada em 13,2% dos avaliados, segundo a avaliação global subjetiva, e em 15,2%, quando utilizado o índice de massa corporal. Conclusão: O rastreamento da disfagia e da desnutrição devem ser incorporados à rotina hospitalar, com o objetivo de evitar ou minimizar os prejuízos provocados por estas condições, especialmente nos idosos.

Perfil nutricional e fatores associados à desnutrição e ao óbito em pacientes com indicação de terapia nutricional / Nutritional profile and associated factors with malnutrition and death in patients with nutritional support indication

Objetivo: Analisar o perfil nutricional, demográfico e clínico de indivíduos hospitalizados com indicação de terapia nutricional, assim como verificar as variáveis que se relacionam à ocorrência de desnutrição e óbito. Método: Estudo transversal retrospectivo, realizado em um hospital filantrópico de Minas Gerais, com os dados dos pacientes adultos e idosos que receberam terapia nutricional enteral e/ou parenteral entre 2011 e 2014. Resultados: Foram analisados os dados de 688 indivíduos, com idade média de 69 anos (DP=17,5 anos). Dos pacientes avaliados, 55,5% apresentavam algum grau de desnutrição, segundo a Avaliação Subjetiva Global, sendo 22,5% desnutridos graves. A maioria (81,5%) atingiu a meta nutricional e 56,6% foram a óbito. Ter 60 anos ou mais, estar em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) e o atendimento pelo Sistema Único de Saúde foram fatores que se associaram à maior frequência de desnutrição e ao óbito. Conclusão: É preocupante a frequência de indivíduos que já iniciam a terapia nutricional com algum grau de desnutrição, ressaltando-se a necessidade da intervenção nutricional precoce. Idosos e pacientes em UTI foram grupos potencialmente mais vulneráveis à desnutrição e ao óbito e, requerem, portanto, atenção especial.(AU)

Objective: To analyze the nutritional status, demographic and clinical profile of hospitalized patients with nutritional support indication, as well as check the variables that relate to the occurrence of malnutrition and death. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study in a philanthropic hospital in Minas Gerais, with data from adults and elderly patients who received enteral and/or parenteral nutrition between the years 2011 to 2014. Results: Data of 688 individuals were analyzed, with mean age of 69 years (SD: 17.5 years). Among the patients, 55.5% had some degree of malnutrition according to the Subjective Global Assessment, and 22.5% were severely malnourished. Most of patients (81.5%) reached the nutritional goal and 56.6% died. Be 60 years or older, be in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the attendance by the Unified Health System were factors that were associated with higher frequency of malnutrition and death. Conclusion: It is worrying the high frequency of individuals who already begin to nutritional support with some degree of malnutrition, emphasizing the need for early nutritional intervention. Elderly and patients in ICU were potentially most vulnerable to malnutrition and death, and therefore require special attention.(AU)

Perfil nutricional e fatores associados ao baixopeso e à redução do consumo alimentar emcrianças hospitalizadas / Nutritional profile and factors associaed with low body weight andreduction of food intake in hospitalized children

A avaliação do estado nutricional de crianças hospitalizadas assume um papel fundamental na identificação precocede riscos nutricionais. Assim, é de grande relevância identificar variáveis que exercem impacto no estado nutricional ena aceitação dos alimentos no ambiente hospitalar. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o perfil nutricional de criançasinternadas em um hospital e analisar as variáveis que exercem influência no diagnóstico nutricional e no consumoalimentar durante a hospitalização. O estado nutricional foi avaliado por meio da aferição de peso, comprimento/estatura,cálculo do Índice de Massa Corporal e avaliação dos índices antropométricos. A avaliação bioquímica foi realizadaa partir das informações disponíveis no prontuário clínico. Os dados socioeconômicos, alimentares, de aleitamentomaterno e avaliação da aceitação das refeições oferecidas foram coletados por meio de aplicação de um questionárioao responsável pela criança. Participaram do estudo 208 crianças, sendo 61,5% do sexo masculino e mediana deidade de 21,5(6-59) meses. Quanto ao estado nutricional, 80% das crianças foram classificadas como eutróficas, 10%apresentavam magreza e 10% excesso de peso. As crianças com baixo peso tiveram mais linfocitopenia (p=0,038)e também foram as que apresentaram menor tempo de aleitamento materno exclusivo (p=0,015). As crianças queapresentaram concentrações elevadas de PCR e leucócitos apresentaram baixa aceitação da dieta oferecida (p=0,034e p=0,040, respectivamente). Foram identificados fatores que se associaram ao baixo peso e a menor aceitação dasrefeições pelas crianças. Assim, atenção específica deve ser dada àquelas com alteração do estado inflamatório e commenor tempo de aleitamento materno exclusivo.

The evaluation of nutritional status in hospitalized children plays a critical role in the early identification of nutritionalrisk. Thus, it is of great importance to identify variables that have an impact on nutritional status and acceptance of foodin the hospital environment. The objective of this work to evaluate the nutritional status of hospitalized children, thevariables that influence the nutritional diagnosis and food intake during hospitalization. Nutritional status was evaluatedby measurement of weight, length / height, body mass index and anthropometric indices. The biochemical evaluationwas performed based on the information available in the medical record. Socioeconomic, dietary and breastfeedingdata and, evaluation of the acceptance of meals offered were obtained through a questionnaire to the responsable forthe children. The study included 208 children, predominantly male (61.5%) and median age of 21.5 (6-59) months. Inrelation to nutritional status, 80% of children were classified eutrophic, 10% were thinness and 10% overweight. Childrenwith low weight had more cases of lymphocytopenia (p = 0.038) and were also those who had shorter time of exclusivebreastfeeding (p = 0.015). Children with elevated concentrations of PCR and leukocytes showed low acceptance of theoffered diet (p = 0.034 and p = 0.040, respectively). Factors associated with low weight and lower acceptance of mealsby children were identified. Particular attention should be given to children with altered inflammatory status and shortertime of exclusive breastfeeding.

Aspectos relacionados à saúde infantil e principais alteraçõesnutricionais em cr ianças brasileiras: revisão de literatura / Aspects related to children health and main nutritional disorders in Brazilian children: a literature review

A vigilância do estado nutricional das crianças é um importante fator na avaliação das tendências da saúde infantil de uma população. Entre as principais alterações nutricionais observadas na infância tem-se a anemia, a desnutrição, e, mais recentemente, com o advento da transição nutricional, o sobrepeso e a obesidade. Este artigo representa uma revisão de literatura dos últimos dez anos, predominantemente porpesquisas em documentos e publicações científicas nacionais, utilizando-se os termos ?desnutrição infantil?, ?estado nutricional de crianças?, ?obesidade em crianças? e ?anemia ferropriva na infância?. A revisão foi complementada utilizando-se publicações internacionais, sendo as línguas pesquisadas o inglês e espanhol. As bases de dados foram materiais do Ministério da Saúde, Scientific Electronic Library Online? SCIELO (http://www.scielo.br/); Medical Literature Analyses and Retrieval System Online ? MEDLINE (http://bases.bvsalud.org) e da Literatura Latino-Americana em Ciências da Saúde ? LILACS (http://www.bireme.br/). A anemia é uma das carências nutricionais de maior prevalência em crianças em todo o mundo e é responsável poralterações importantes de crescimento e desenvolvimento infantil. No que se refere aos parâmetros antropométricos, tem sido observada uma diminuição na prevalência de desnutrição infantil, em paralelo ao aumento dos casos de sobrepeso e obesidade, o que representa um incremento aos riscos de ocorrência de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis neste grupo populacional. Apesar de estar em menor prevalência, a desnutrição infantil ainda configura-se no panorama atual da saúde, associada à maiorocorrência e ao agravamento de infecções na infância.