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Disease-related undernutrition in children and adolescents in Germany: Significant problem of undernutrition or malnutrition

Monatsschrift fur Kinderheilkunde, ISSN: 1433-0474, Vol: 170, Issue: 2, Page: 125-132
2022
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Review Description

Although disease-related undernutrition (DRU) in children and adolescents frequently occurs even in Germany, the problem of DRU (in contrast to overweight and obesity) is rarely the focus of those working in the field of child and adolescent health. The prevalence of DRU in Germany can be up to 23% in pediatric patients. Associated with DRU are severe health effects (e.g. increased infections and other complications, impaired quality of life, negative epigenetic effects, increased mortality). The economic burden for the healthcare system is high due to longer lengths of hospital stay and increased complications. Therefore, it is necessary to increase widespread awareness and to stimulate scientific discussion on DRU. This is especially true because successful treatment options are available. By increasing awareness and implementing the use of screening algorithms (e.g. by an obligatory initial screening and if needed followed by an intervention by a multidisciplinary nutrition team), treatment and outcome in patients suffering from DRU can be significantly improved. This has been confirmed by evidence-based data from “adult medicine”, with equivalent results to those obtained in pediatric patients. Through early recognition and treatment of DRU the negative effects on health, the costs to the healthcare system and the personal suffering of those affected can be verifiably reduced. The recognition and treatment of disease-related undernutrition are simple and worthwhile.

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