Perfil clínico-nutricional das crianças da população remanescentes dos quilombos do estado de Alagoas

Abstract

Objective: To know the nutritional status of children under 5 years old who live in Quilombos (Brazilian hinterland settlement founded by people of African origin) from Alagoas state in Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 1114 children. The nutritional status was evaluated by anthropometry, clinical examination and measurement of hemoglobin level. The study data were: weight and height for formation of the weight -for age, weight for height and height for age. To characterizes underweight, wasting and stunting, it was applied to these indices, the cutoff z<-2. The Anthropometric standard used was proposed by OMS -2006. The Anemia was diagnosed when the hemoglobin level was < 11mg/dL. It was measured by a portable photometer (Hemocue). The Clinical Evaluations were preceded by a pediatrician, following the standard guide. Results: The prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting was respectively 9,5%, 2,6% and 1,4 % . The anemia was found in 52,7% of the children . More usual clinical signs founded were : Pallor (61, 6%) , dental caries ( 38, 2%) , dull hair ( 26,9%) , skin xerosis (26,7%) and presence of infectious processes (22,3%) . Conclusion: Stunting, which indicates chronic mal nutrition, was the most common anthropometric deficit. The anemia presented so strong that characterizes it as a serious public health problem. The deficits of underweight and wasting however, were considered irrelevant under the epidemiologic point of view. The clinical evaluation, although subjective for most signals, revealed a lot of problems. And those problems lead to a better characterization of the mal nutritional profile of the studied communities, making possible an improved planning of future interventions.