Dutch national survey to test the STRONGkids nutrtional risk screening tool in hospitalized children. Clin Nutr 2010

Abstract

s u m m a r y 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 STRONG kids , 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 STRONG kids screening 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 <À2 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 STRONG kids tool. 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 STRONG kids was 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