Prevalência e etiologia da baixa estatura em pré-escolares de Campina Grande-PB.

Abstract

Introduction: Short stature is defined as the condition in which the height of individuals is below the 3rd percentile in the World Health Organization curve, or is 2 standard deviations below the average height of children of the same age and sex. The decrease in growth may occur as a result of several factors such as malnutrition, hypothyroidism, genetic alterations, classical deficiency of growth hormone, systemic diseases, as well as constitutional, family or idiopathic. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of stunting among preschoolers in Campina Grande - Paraíba, the etiology of short stature. Methodology: Quantitative cross-sectional study that evaluated 800 children aged 1 to 5 years from August 2014 to May 2016, executed with the municipal day care and outpatient Pediatric Endocrinology, University Hospital Alcides Carneiro (HUAC). Results: 800 children were evaluated, 6.375% of the children had short stature, and 6% with low height for age and 0.375% with very low height. As for weight, 2.75% had low weight for age, and 2.5% underweight and 0.25% with very low weight. Of the 51 children screened in day care and sent for diagnostic investigation, we found 3 children with genetic alterations, 3 children were diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency isolated, 4 children have hypothyroidism, 2 children with asthma are in frequent use of glucocorticoids, 7 children were diagnosed small for gestational age, 2 children were diagnosed with protein-energy malnutrition, 9 children had giardiasis with malabsorptive syndrome, low family stature 5, the remaining 16 children were classified as idiopathic short stature and continue outpatients. Conclusion: Was found that predominated stunting relative to weight, which is according to the national and international literature that the prevalence of stunting as well as its causes is in line with that described in the literature. As well, concludes that children in preschool and school age have not received proper monitoring of growth and development for primary care.