Relación entre el nivel de albúmina y la desnutrición en niños menores de 5 años atendidos en el Hospital del Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social Latacunga, enero 2020 agosto 2021.

Abstract

The aim of this research was to relate the level of albumin to the malnutrition of children younger than 5 years old, who were assisted at Hospital Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social in Latacunga between January 2020 to August 2021. For this reason, it was obtained anthropometric data such as height, size, age, and biochemical data like albumin through the medical record on the AS400 system. The anthropometric indexes were analyzed on the WHO Anthro program to know the nutritional condition of the children. The method used was retrospective, analytic, observational, and nonexperimental design. One hundred and one children, boys and girls younger than 5 years old have participated; accomplishing the inclusion criteria. To collect data the observation method was used, and as the main instrument of reference, it was the World Health Organization. For the analysis of the results, the statistic program EpiInfo version 7.2.4.0 and the Chi2 test were used to determine the relation between the variables; giving as a result a significant statistical difference between the global malnutrition through the indicator weight/age, and the albumin level with a p-value of 0,03. It was also found a prevalence of chronic malnutrition at 48,51%, sharp malnutrition at 21,78%, global malnutrition at 46,53%, and 20,79% malnutrition through the body-mass index (BMI)/ age. 7,92% of children had low levels of albumin. It was concluded that there is a significant statistical relation between albumin and global malnutrition while with the rest of the indexes like weight/size, size/age, and BMI index there was no significant relation. We recommend applying strategies of procedures that are directed to reduce children’s malnutrition adapted according to the geographic zone of the country.