Franck Stephane G. Demyo¹, Marlyne-Joséphine Mananga^{1, 2}, Nicolas Policarpe Nolla¹, Adelaïde Mawamba Demasse¹, Marie Modestine Kana Sop^1,

Malnutrition is still a major public health problem in Cameroon. Children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers are the most affected groups. The diagnosis is usually made clinically, but the interest of some clinical essays areimportant to evaluate the severity and facilitate an early detection of albuminemia. This study was designed to assess some anthropometric and biochemical indicators of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) on children aged from 0-36 months in two hospitals in Douala, using descriptive and analytical methodology. A sampling of 366 children was carried out in two hospitals in Douala namely, the Bonassama District Hospital (HDB) and the Ndogbati Protestant Hospital. A questionnaire related to sociodemographic data such as breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, was used. Anthropometric measurements of the children were taken. Subsequently, blood samples were taken from children whose parents gave their consent. The classification of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) according to Waterlow showed that 3.57% of children suffered from PEM without oedema. Gomez’s classification showed that 12.75% of children were underweight. The Z-score’s classification showed that wasting (4.1%), underweight (5.12%), stunting (11.2%) and global malnutrition (7.65%) were present among the children. In addition, biochemical analyses showed that 8.77% of underweight, 14.03% of wasted children and 12.28% of stunted children were hypo albuminemic. There was also a statistically strong significant relationship between weight for height (W/H), weight for age (W/A) and serum albumin concentration. The nutritional status of the children was therefore significantly influenced by childhood diseases, sociodemographic parameters, breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices of mothers.

breast feeding, children 0-36 months, complementary feeding, protein-energy malnutrition, serum albumin, Cameroon