Malnutrition care in hospitalized pediatric inpatients: Comparison of perceptions and experiences across two pediatric academic health sciences centres.

Malnutrition affects up to 1 in 3 Canadian children admitted to hospital. Awareness among pediatric healthcare providers (HCP) of the prevalence and impacts of hospitalized malnutrition is critical for optimal management. The purpose of this study was to determine perceptions of malnutrition among pediatric HCP across two major academic health sciences centres, and to determine how the use of a standardized pediatric nutritional screening tool at one institution affects responses. Between 2020-2022, 192 HCP representing nursing, dietetics, medicine and other allied health were surveyed across McMaster Children's Hospital (MCH) and The Hospital for Sick Children (SK). 38% of respondents from both centres perceived rates of malnutrition between approximately 1 in 3 patients. Perceptions of the need for nutritional screening, assessment, and management were similar between centres. All respondents identified the need for better communication of hospitalized malnutrition status to community providers at discharge, and resource limitations affecting nutritional management of pediatric inpatients. This study represents the largest and most diverse survey of inpatient pediatric HCP to date. We demonstrate high rates of baseline knowledge of hospital malnutrition, ongoing resource challenges, and the need for a systematic approach to pediatric nutritional management.