Abstract: Med. J. Cairo Univ., Vol. 92, No. 4, Accepted 25/11/2024
DOI: 10.22608/MJCU. 1583-1592, December 2024
www.medicaljournalofcairouniversity.net
Nutritional Assessment of Critically Ill Children with COVID-19
Admitted to PICU
NAHLA A. MOHAMED, Ph.D.* and HANAN F. MOHAMMED, M.D.**
The Department of Pediatrics, El-Galaa Teaching Hospital, General Organization of Teaching Hospitals and Institutes* and
Department of Clinical Pathology, El-Galaa Teaching Hospital, General Organization of Teaching Hospital**
Abstract
Background: Nutrition has important role in the regulation
of optimal immune functions, as it provides proper nutrients
such as minerals, and vitamins, as well as macronutrients in adequate concentrations to immune system. however, nutritional
deficiencies are associated with impaired immune response and
have negative impact on human resistance to infection.
Aim of Study: Evaluation of the nutritional status of critically ill pediatric patients diagnosed with COVID-19 admitted
to PICU and study correlation between nutritional deficiency
and outcome.
Patients and Methods: This retrospective cohort study of
hospitalized patients with COVID-19 enrolled at the pediatric
intensive care unit of El-Galaa Teaching Hospital. All confirmed COVID-19 patients have been screened in the period between June 1st, 2023 and may 31th, 2024. The study reviewed
the demographic data, anthropometric data, nutritional and
medical history, laboratory investigation, duration of hospital
stays and outcome of the hospitalized patients during the period
of the study.
Results: A total of 60 patients with COVID-19 aged 2 to
10 years were evaluated in this study. Non-survivors’ patients
with COVID-19 had significantly lower anthropometric measurements (Z score for weight, Z score for height and body mass
index Z score) as compared to survivors. There was statistically decrease in folic acid, Vitamin D, Zinc, Selenium (38.3%,
23.3%, 65%, 36.7% respectively) in COVID-19 patients. While
severe vitamin D deficiency was reported in 21.7% of patients.
There was statistically significant decrease in folic acid, Vitamin D, Zinc, Selenium innon- survivors as compared with survivors’patients. Also, there was statistically significant increase
in duration of hospital stay innon-survivors’ patients.
Conclusion: Pediatric patients with COVID-19 may have
nutritional deficiency in one or more micronutrients that may
Correspondence to: Dr. Nahla A. Mohamed, The Department
of Pediatrics, El-Galaa Teaching Hospital,
General Organization of Teaching Hospitals and Institutes
affect their immune response to infection, severity of disease,
complications and duration of hospitalization. They will benefit from screening and supplementation of vitamins and trace
elements.
Key Words: COVID-19 – Selenium – Vitamin D – Zinc folic
acid – Micronutrients.
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