The impact of a pediatric malnutrition telehealth clinic on anthropometric measurements in children aged 6–59 months in rural Guatemala

Abstract

Background: Guatemala, a country with high rates of pediatric malnutrition, has significant challenges including food and potable water insecurity and a lack of health care providers. Purpose: This study examined the impact of telehealth clinic attendance on pediatric malnutrition scores. Methodology: A sample of 42 Guatemalan children aged 6–59 months with malnutrition were recruited to participate in eight clinic events, including two in-person and six telehealth clinics. Six telehealth clinics were held at 4- to 6-week intervals, bookended by an initial and concluding in-person event. Nonparametric tests were used to analyze changes between baseline and last visit z-scores for height, weight for length, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and body mass index (BMI) and to examine the relationship between the number of telehealth visits and z-score measurements at baseline and last visit. Results: The number of children with severe malnutrition at baseline by weight for length, BMI, and MUAC decreased by the last visit. A decrease occurred in the number of children with stunted height. Changes in z-scores for height, weight for length, BMI, and MUAC between study onset and last visit did not reach statistical significance. Statistically significant relationships existed between clinic attendance and baseline and last visit weight for height/length z-scores and baseline MUAC z-scores. Conclusions: Positive improvements in nutritional status occurred, especially among children with severe malnutrition. Children with severe malnutrition had significantly better telehealth attendance. Implications: Studies with larger sample sizes are needed. Study results indicate that telehealth may be a tool to battle global pediatric malnutrition.