Growth Assessment in Children Age 1 to 5 Years Presenting in Children Hospital Lahore

Abstract

Childhood undernutrition remains a major public health concern and adversely affects growth, development, and long-term health. Anthropometric assessment enables early identification of wasting, stunting, and underweight among preschool children. Objective: To determine the frequency of wasting, stunting, and underweight using anthropometric parameters among preschool children presenting to Children Hospital Lahore. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 300 children aged 1–5 years presenting to the outpatient department of Children Hospital Lahore from 18 January 2025 to 18 March 2025. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to guardians. Anthropometric measurements, including weight, height/length, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), were obtained using World Health Organization-recommended techniques. Nutritional status was assessed using weight-for-age, height-for-age, weight-for-height, and MUAC criteria to identify underweight, stunting, and wasting. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics, and associations between nutritional outcomes and sociodemographic characteristics were assessed using the chi-square test, with p≤0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Among 300 children, 115 (38.33%) were stunted and 177 (59.00%) were underweight. Wasting was identified in 41 (13.66%) children using weight-for-height criteria and in 92 (30.66%) using MUAC. Younger children had significantly higher frequencies of wasting, stunting, and underweight. Male sex was significantly associated with wasting and stunting. Lower maternal education was significantly associated with MUAC-defined wasting, while larger family size was significantly associated with underweight based on weight-for-age. Conclusion: Undernutrition was common among preschool children, with underweight representing the most frequent anthropometric abnormality. Younger age, male sex, maternal education, and larger family size were associated with adverse nutritional outcomes, supporting the need for early nutritional screening and targeted interventions in vulnerable children.