Assessment of nutritional status

• It should include posture, skeletal deformities (e.g., scoliosis) and contractures.

Overall assessment

• Assess subcutaneous cellular tissue and muscle mass.
• Presence of deficiency signs.

How to assess deficiency signs?

Significant deficiency signs: pallor and eczemas, thinning hair, angular stomatitis, rickety signs.
Global malnutrition can be observed by touching the skin and adipose paniculus especially on arms, groin and glutes.

• Presence of signs of dehydration.
• Oral alterations (ex: gingival, dental) and oral acid odour.
• Presence of decubitus ulcers.
• Assess signs of fecal retention.