Low birth weight as a determinant of protein energy malnutrition in 0-5 years Omani children of South Batinah region, Oman

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors of protein energy malnourishment (PEM) among 0-5 year old children in South Batinah region, Oman.

METHODS: at are maintained at the primary health institutions of the study area. This case control study was conducted between March 2003 and May 2003. The information of their birth weight, birth interval, birth order, twin pregnancy, history of underweight and death among siblings, presence of congenital anomalies, breast feeding status, social problem and other ail.

RESULTS: The median birth order among PEM cases was significantly higher compared to the children without PEM (Mann Whitney test; p=0.029). Using multivariate logistic regression technique, we found that low birth weight (odds ratio [OR] 2.32; confidence intervals [CI] 95% 1.61-3.33), higher birth order (OR 1.04; CI 95% 1.01-1.08) and sibling with history of under weight [OR 1.79 (CI 95% 0.97- 3.28)] were significant predictors of PEM.

CONCLUSION: It is possible to identify children with high-risk of PEM using information on birth weight, birth order and history of PEM in sibling. This non-anthropometric method can be used as an additional tool for monitoring growth of children and formulate preventive interventions.