Aisha K. Yousafzai|Suzanne Filteau|Sheila Wirz
Feeding difficulties in disabled children leads to malnutrition: experience in an Indian slum
London International Development Centre|University College London|London International Development Centre|University College London|London International Development Centre|University College London
aim present study explore nature extent probable causes nutritional deficiencies among children disabilities living dharavi slum mumbai india crosssectional study conducted investigate whether nutritional status children disabilities aged 26 years n 141 worse nondisabled sibling controls n 122 neighbour controls n 162 data food patterns anthropometry micronutrient status feeding difficulties reported parents collected mean weight age children disabilities 244 sd 139 z scores n 120 significantly lower p005 compared sibling 170 sd 120 z scores n 109 neighbour 183 sd 1290 z scores n 162 control groups children disabilities significantly lower p005 mean haemoglobin levels 92 sd 23 gl n 134 compared siblings 102 sd 18 gl n 103 neighbours 99 sd 18 gl n 153 relative risk rr analysis indicated disabled children feeding difficulties significantly likely p005 malnourished indicator weight age rr 11 95 ci 108 120 compared disabled children without feeding difficulty also significantly likely malnourished using indicators height age rr 13 95 ci 119 143 weight height rr 24 95 ci 178 323 compared disabled children without feeding difficulty feeding difficulties identified risk factor vulnerability inadequate nutritional status among children disabilities