Dutch national survey to test the STRONGkids nutritional risk screening tool in hospitalized children

Background & aims: Children admitted to the hospital are at risk of developing malnutrition. The aim of the present study was to investigate the feasibility and value of a new nutritional risk screening tool, called STRONGkids, in a nationwide study. Methods: A Prospective observational multi-centre study was performed in 44 Dutch hospitals (7 academic and 37 general), over three consecutive days during the month of November 2007.The STRONGkidsscreening tool consisted of 4 items: (1) subjective clinical assessment, (2) high risk disease, (3) nutritional intake, (4) weight loss. Measurements of weight and length were performed. SD-scores <-2 for weight-for-height and height-for-age were considered to indicate acute and chronic malnutrition respectively. Results: A total of 424 children were included. Median age was 3.5 years and median hospital stay was 2 days. Sixty-two percent of the children were classified " at risk" of developing malnutrition by the STRONGkidstool. Children at risk had significantly lower SD-scores for weight-for-height, a higher prevalence of acute malnutrition and a longer hospital stay compared to children with no nutritional risk. Conclusions: The nutritional risk screening tool STRONGkidswas successfully applied to 98% of the children. Using this tool, a significant relationship was found between having a " high risk" score, a negative SD-score in weight-for-height and a prolonged hospital stay.

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