Nutritional deficiencies and substance abuse pattern in street children

Background: Street children are predisposed to develop malnutrition and different nutritional deficiencies. Also they are vulnerable to develop  substances abuse of different types. The present study intends to study that aspect of street children.
Aims and objectives: To study the various nutritional deficiencies and substance abuse pattern  in street children.
Materiel and Methods: The present study was conducted in Department of Paediatrics, Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Pimpri, Pune during the period August 2010 to September 2012. 204 street children were studied with respect to their nutritional status and various macro and micro nutrient deficiencies. Also substance abuse pattern was studied in them. After thorough history and physical examination, relevant investigations were carried in them.
Results: The majority,  126 (61.76%) of subjects were in age group 1 to 5 years followed by 31 in 16 to 18 years age group, 26  in 6 to 10 years age group and remaining 20 cases were in age group of 11 to 15 years. The majority, 111 (54.41%) of subjects were  males and remaining 93  were females.  60 (47.62%) were having grade 4 PEM, followed by 25 (19.84%) with grade 2 PEM. 23 (18.25%) were in grade 3 PEM, maximum number of children had grade 4 PEM. Anemia was present in significant number of subjects with both macrocytic and microcytic anemia. Vitamin A deficiency was seen in 42 cases with grade 4 PEM. Vitamin B deficiency was seen in 46 cases with grade 4 PEM. Vitamin C deficiency was seen in 52 cases with grade 4 PEM. Children with grade 4 PEM have more prevalence of vitamin deficiency. Tobacco and ghutaka was seen as a major form of substance abuse followed by alcohol in some. No relation was found between different genders and substance abuse pattern against a common belief that substance abuse  would be more common in male gender.
Conclusion: Malnutrition was found to be very common in street children. Iron and B12 and vitamin A&D deficiencies were found to be the common macronutrient deficiencies in them. Vitamin B complex deficiency was also significant in them. Tobacco and ghutaka was seen as a major form of substance abuse followed by alcohol.