RIESGO DE DESNUTRICIÓN COMO FACTOR PREDICTOR DE ESTANCIA HOSPITALARIA PROLONGADA EN PACIENTES DE 1 MES A 5 AÑOS EN EL HOSPITAL GENERAL DEL NORTE DE GUAYAQUIL LOS CEIBOS (IESS) EN EL PERÍODO ENERO A ABRIL 2021.

Abstract

Introduction: The following degree work is carried out on the risk of child malnutrition as a predictive factor of hospital stay in pediatric patients. Malnutrition is called the pathological state resulting from inadequate nutrition. There are different screening scales that measure the degree of malnutrition, the main one being the WHO one, while the STRONGkids scale is used to determine the risk of suffering from this disorder. Objective: To evaluate the risk of malnutrition with the STRONGkids scale and use it as a predictor of hospital stay. Methodology: The population to be studied was pediatric admissions to the General Hospital of the North of Guayaquil IESS Ceibos. It is an observational, cross-sectional, prospective, non-experimental study. Results: After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total sample of 51 patients admitted on the predetermined dates was achieved. A lower number of admissions was found in the population than low risk (19%), and a directly proportional relationship between higher risk and longer hospital duration (p = 0.03), but not a linear correlation. Conclusion: There is an apparent statistical relationship between the high risk of malnutrition and a longer hospital stay.