Comparative assessment of malnutrition risk in hospitalized children using SGA and stamp tools: A prospective observational study

Childhood malnutrition remains a significant global public health issue, affecting millions of children and leading to adverse health outcomes and impaired developmental progress. Among hospitalized children, the risk of malnutrition is particularly concerning, as it can prolong hospital stays, hinder recovery, and complicate existing medical conditions. This study aimed to assess the malnutrition risk in hospitalized children aged 5 to 15 years using two validated screening tools: the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and the Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Pediatrics (STAMP). A total of 80 pediatric inpatients (both boys and girls) were evaluated. Findings from both tools revealed that the majority of children were at medium risk of malnutrition, although the STAMP tool identified a few children at high risk. Based on the results, it was concluded that a significant portion of hospitalized children are moderately malnourished, underscoring the importance of routine screening. Nutritional education was provided to at-risk children and the caregivers through informative pamphlets as part of the intervention strategy.