Assessing The Nutritional Status Of Infants (0-1 Year) And Children Under Five Years (1-5 Years) Attending Child Welfare Clinic At General Hospital Onitsha And Child's Welfare Centre Onitsha.

ABSTRACT

The most extensive public health problem among children in many developing countries of which Nigeria is one, is developmental impairment. (Chen et a!, 1990). It arises from the complex of nutritional, biological and social deprivation and is manifested as ill health, wasting and growth retardation resulting to stunting, functional disadvantages and high mortality rate. (Beaton et a!, 1990). So assessment of nutritional status involves gathering of data to identify individuals who requires special care/attention, determines the causes and degree of malnutrition and determine the potential risk of developmental impairment (Gorstein, 1990). Nutritional Status is the nutritional health of a person as determined by ABCDs of nutritional assessment (Wardlaw, 1999). A Anthropometric assessment: (Weight, height, skinfold thickness, arm muscle circumference, Head circumference, chest circumference and other parameters). B = Biochemical (Laboratory) assessment (Of blood and urine: enzyme activities, concentration of nutrients or other by product). C Clinical assessment (Physical examination) (general appearance of skin, eye and tongue; rapid hair loss, sense of touch ability to work and strong on ground) Ds = Diet history: (Usually intake or record of previous day's Meal). (Wardlaw, 1999).