The aim of this study was to investigate the current prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and the nutritional status of hospitalized pediatric patients.

We evaluated the nutritional status of the 200 patients from February to July 1994 and the 233 patients from February to July 1999 admitted to Pediatric Department of Chosun University Hospital. Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric and laboratory data. The nutritional status was classified according to based on the Waterlow criteria and using the laboratory data obtained between 3 days to 5 days after admission.

1) The prevalence of acute PEM (weight for height) was as follows: severe, 0.5%; moderate, 7%; mild, 18%; and none, 74.5% in 1994 and severe, 2.24%; moderate, 3.59%; mild, 19.73%; and none, 74.4% in 1999. 2) The prevalence of chronic PEM (height for age) was as follows: severe, 5%; moderate, 5.5%; mild, 25.5%; and none, 64% in 1994 and severe, 2.24%; moderate, 4.04%; mild, 22.87%; and none, 70.85% in 1999. There was not a statistically significant difference between 1994 and 1999. 3) The prevalence of PEM according to age group, all age group had in general higher prevalence of mild PEM. 4) Values for hemoglobin and albumin were below than total lymphocyte values in PEM.

The prevalence of acute or chronic PEM was common in hospitalized children. Therefore, the assessment of nutritional status may an important role to establish effective nutritional support and to improve their subsequent hospital course in hospitalized pediatric patient.