Sociodemographic characterization and nutritional status in malnourished preschool children with neuropsychological immaturity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12873/444suarezKeywords:
malnutrition, preschoolers, neuropsychologicalAbstract
Introduction: Malnutrition in children under 5 years of age affects their integral development, causing neuropsychological immaturity, motor delay, and poor academic performance. Socioeconomic factors, such as living environment and family income, limit access to adequate nutrition and exacerbate this issue.
Objective: To relate sociodemographic characteristics to the nutritional status of preschool children with neuropsychological immaturity.
Materials and Methods: Sociodemographic information was collected through interviews, and the nutritional status of the children was assessed through anthropometric records and medical attention. Neuropsychological evaluation was carried out using the Infant Neuropsychological Maturity Questionnaire (Cumanin).
Results and Discussion: Of the children evaluated,
43.3% live in rural areas; 31.2% have a family income below $400, and 45.8% lack economic stability. Regarding growth, 22.6% show stunted growth; 20% have malnutrition in the weight/age index, and 29.3% in the BMI/age index.
Additionally, 3.2% have extremely low weight relative to their height, while another 3.2% are overweight or obese. In terms of neuropsychological development, 43.2% present difficulties in brain maturity, 15.2% show immaturity in global development, 44.8% are deficient in verbal development, and 28.8% do not reach non-verbal development.
Conclusion: Although most of the children evaluated fall within normal nutritional ranges, a significant proportion presents acute and chronic malnutrition, overweight, and obesity. The observed brain immaturity suggests both nutritional and sociodemographic causes, as most come from rural areas and low-income families, limiting their access to adequate nutrition.
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