Malnutrition Elevates COVID-induced Death Risk

People with a previous history of malnutrition might develop a severe form of Covid infection. Malnutrition hampers the functioning of the immune system and can increase the risk of severe infections for other viruses.

Malnutrition can increase the likelihood of death from COVID-19, found a new study. The research also found an increase in the need for mechanical ventilation among people with a history of malnourishment.

"Malnutrition hampers the proper functioning of the immune system and is known to increase the risk of severe infections for other viruses, but the potential long-term effects of malnutrition on Covid-19 outcomes are less clear," said Louis Ehwerhemuepha from Children's Hospital of Orange County in California.

Malnutrition - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
Malnutrition refers to imbalances in a person’s intake of energy or nutrients and can occur due to an excess consumption of nutrients or a lack of nutrients.

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Malnutrition can increase the likelihood of death from COVID-19. Malnourished adults in the age group 18-78 had higher chances of developing severe COVID-19.

To derive the link between malnutrition diagnoses and subsequent Covid-19 severity, researchers used medical records for 8,604 children and 94,495 adults who were hospitalized with Covid-19 in the US between March and June 2020.

The clinical outcomes of COVID-19 among people with a previous malnutrition history were compared with people who didn't have it. The findings revealed that

• Around 520 children in the study group got severe COVID-19. Of these children, 7.5% had a previous diagnosis of malnutrition

Malnutrition to Obesity - The Big Leap
Obesity is the root cause of problems like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis and gall bladder disease. A serious look at our strategies is needed to tackle this fast growing epidemic.

• Likewise, 11% of the 423 adults with malnutrition had a severe form of infection

• Children who were older than five and adults in the age group 18-78 with a previous history of malnutrition had higher chances of developing severe COVID-19

Cause of Malnutrition Among Teens in Developing Countries
War, lack of democracy, and urbanization contribute to the double burden of malnutrition among adolescents in developing countries. The health consequences of this malnutrition include stunting, obesity, and thinness.

The findings of the research are published in the journal Scientific Reports.