09 April 2025 : Clinical Research
Etiological Patterns of Protein-Energy Malnutrition in a Pediatric Clinic in China
Mei Tang123ABCDEF, Yini Wang123CDE, Fan Yang123AE*, Yun Xiang123B, Jinhui Wu123BDOI: 10.12659/MSM.946284
Med Sci Monit 2025; 31:e946284
Table 3 Comparison of Single and Multiple Etiological Factors in Children of Mild and Moderate PEM Groups (%).
| Group | n | Single etiology | Two or more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild PEM group | 231 | 170 (73.6) | 44 (19.0) |
| Moderate PEM group | 49 | 19 (38.8) | 24 (48.9) |
| χ | 22.34 | 19.70 | |
| value | <0.001 | <0.001 | |
| No specific cause of PEM was identified in 17 and 6 children in the mild and moderate PEM groups, respectively. These children were not included in the analysis for single or multiple etiologies. PEM – protein-energy malnutrition. | |||