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Risk Score of Sermet-Gaudelus et al for Identifying Children at Risk for Malnutrition

Purpose: To identify a hospitalizaed child at risk for malnutrition using the score of Sermet-Gaudelus et al.

Description

Sermet-Gaudelus developed a risk score for identifying hospitalized children at risk for malnutrition. This can allow for early intervention prior to the development of complications. The authors are from Hopital Necker-Enfants Malades in Paris.


Parameters:

(1) food intake

(2) pain

(3) grade of pathologic condition

 

Grade 1 (Mild) Conditions

Grade 2 (Moderate) Conditions

Grade 3 (Severe) Conditions

admission for diagnostic procedure

severe infections but not life-threatening

AIDS

minor infection

routine surgery

malignancy

mild episodic illness

fractures

severe sepsis

minor surgery

chronic illness without acute deterioration

major surgery

 

inflammatory bowel disease

multiple injuries

 

 

acute deterioration of a chronic disease

 

 

major depression

 

 

Parameter

Finding

Points

food intake

>= 50% of dietary allowance

0

 

< 50% of dietary allowance

1

pain

child <= 6 years with no sign of pain

0

 

child <= 6 years with any visible sign of pain

1

 

child > 6 years with visual analogue pain score <= 40 out of 100

0

 

child > 6 years with visual analogue pain score > 40 out of 100

1

grade of condition

mild (grade 1)

0

 

moderate (grade 2)

1

 

severe (grade 3)

3

 

where:

• Signs of pain in a small child may include incessant crying or abnormal movements.

• The visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain ranged from 0 for no pain to 100 for worst pain imaginable.

 

total score =

= SUM(points for all 3 conditions)

 

Interpretation:

• minimum score: 0

• maximum score: 5

• The higher the score the greater the risk to develop malnutrition.

 

Total Score

Nutritional Risk

Intervention

0

low

none

1 or 2

moderate

Determine weight and food intake daily.

Consult with a dietitian.

Start oral nutrition support.

3, 4 or 5

high

Measure ingested food precisely.

Consult nutrition team.

Consider nutritional support.

 


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Specialty

Objective

ICD-10