Hemoglobin values and anthropometric nutritional status: height prediction equation for Ecuadorian children under 5 years old.

Abstract

Introduction: Anemia in children under 5 years of age can lead to irreversible consequences if it is not diagnosed and / or not treated promptly, these consequences include stunted growth.
Objectives: To evaluate hemoglobin values and anthropometric nutritional status in Ecuadorian children under 5 years old and to generate a height prediction equation from the hemoglobin values.

Methods: Observational study. The study population was 198 135 boys and girls between 0 and 5 years of age, assisted in the Health Operational Units of the 24 Provinces of Ecuador with information registered in the Integrated Nutritional Surveillance System of the Ministry of Public Health during the year 2017. The variables studied were: geographical area, sex, age, weight, length / height, hemoglobin (Hb). For the diagnosis of anthropometric status, the indicators recommended by the WHO-2006, Height // Age (H //A) is Body mass index // Age (BMI // A). Anemia was considered at any hemoglobin value <11,0 g / dL. The data were analyzed using the computer programs: Anthro v1.0.4 for anthropometric status and JMP v11 for descriptive, bivariate
and modeling analysis.

Results: The national prevalence of anemia was 25,8%, the decrease in age for age was 19,8% and the overweight / obesity was 6,0%. Three height prediction models were generated as explanatory variables, hemoglobin, age, sex and geographic altitude.
Conclusions: The equation is recommended: Height (cm) = 66,946002 - 0,329883 (Hb) + 0,762376 (Age). The results of the use of this equation would allow to take pertinent corrective measures in the nutritional status of the child to improve their linear growth.