OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nutritional status, duration of hospital stay and clinical specialties of patients hospitalized in the Pediatric Surgery Unit of São Paulo Hospital, Unifesp-EPM. METHODS: This cross-sectional retrospective study enrolled 749 children and adolescents of both genders admitted to the Pediatric Surgery Unit during the period of August 2007 to July 2008. The following data were collected: anthropometric variables, duration of hospital stay and surgical procedures. For nutritional status classification, the Z score for body mass index (Z BMI) and height-for-age (Z H/A) were used according to the World Health Organization growth chart (WHO, 2007). The children were classified according to the surgical procedures performed. Results were compared by ANOVA followed by Bonferroni multiple comparisons test, being significant p<0.05. Statistical analysis was carried out through STATA 8.0 software. RESULTS: Patients' mean age was seven years old (0 to 18), 59% were males and 18% had ear, neck or throat surgery. Among the hospitalized patients, 66% had appropriated height for age, 43% were eutrophic and 31% obese/overweight. The malnourished patients presented longer hospital stay than the obese/overweight patients (7.2 versus 4.1 days; p=0,035). Infants had prolonged hospital stay (p=0,006) and less Z BMI values in comparison to the other age groups. (p=0,001). Infants that needed cardiac surgery presented lower Z BMI in relation to the others (p=0,002). CONCLUSIONS: The patients profile in the Pediatric Surgery Unit followed the nutritional pattern observed in Brazil, with increasing prevalence of obesity together with malnutrition. However, malnutrition is still an aggravating factor for prolonged hospital stay
child; adolescent; nutritional status; hospitalization
