Malnutrition care in hospitalized pediatric inpatients: comparison of perceptions and experiences across two pediatric academic health sciences centres.

Malnutrition affects up to one in three Canadian children admitted to hospital. Awareness among pediatric healthcare providers (HCPs) of the prevalence and impacts of hospitalized malnutrition is critical for optimal management. The purpose of this study was to determine perceptions of malnutrition among pediatric HCP across two major academic health sciences centres, and to determine how the use of a standardized pediatric nutritional screening tool at one institution affects responses. Between 2020 and 2022, 192 HCPs representing nursing, dietetics, medicine, and other allied health were surveyed across McMaster Children's Hospital and The Hospital for Sick Children. 38% of respondents from both centres perceived rates of malnutrition between approximately one in three patients. Perceptions of the need for nutritional screening, assessment, and management were similar between centres. All respondents identified the need for better communication of hospitalized malnutrition status to community providers at discharge, and resource limitations affecting nutritional management of pediatric inpatients. This study represents the largest and most diverse survey of inpatient pediatric HCPs to date. We demonstrate high rates of baseline knowledge of hospital malnutrition, ongoing resource challenges, and the need for a systematic approach to pediatric nutritional management.
Competing Interests: Daina Kalnins is a member of the Canadian Malnutrition Task Force-Pediatric Working Group and a member of Healthcare Advisory Council, CF Canada. Jessie Hulst is a member of the Canadian Malnutrition Task Force-Pediatric Working Group and Co-chair in the Pediatric Working group. Jessie Hulst received honoraria from Abbott Canada and Nutricia. Jillian Owens is a member of the Canadian Malnutrition Task Force-Pediatric Working Group. Nikhil Pai is a member of the Canadian Malnutrition Task Force-Pediatric Working Group and the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition- Section on Nutrition. Nikhil Pai received grants from Hamilton Health Sciences, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Hamilton Academic Health Sciences Organization, Ministry of Colleges and Universities Ontario, McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation. Nikhil Pai has received consulting fees from Ministry of Heath Ontario, Abott Canada and Ferring. Nikhil Pai received honoraria from Takeda, Abbott Canada and American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (Educational Events). Nikhil Pai received support for attending meetings and/or travel from American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and McMaster KidsDigHealth (student support). Nikhil Pai has pending patent for Method of Diagnosing and Treatment Monitoring of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (CA3164043A1). Nikhil Pai received in-Kind FMT research Materials from Rebiotix Inc., a Ferring Company.