Articles

Eliminating Pediatric Malnutrition: A Call for Universal Screening

Publication Date: 01 February 2021

Author(s): Robert Murray, MD, FAAP, Kirk Kerr, PhD, Cory Brunton, MS, BSN, RN, Jennifer A Williams, MPH, Tiffany DeWitt, MS, MBA, RD, LD, Karyn Wulf, MD, MPH

Abstract:

Childhood malnutrition remains far too common around the world – nearly 150 million children under 5 are stunted and 50 million are wasted. Currently there’s no universal malnutrition screening tool used, and occasional growth screenings may not catch nutrient deficiencies until a child is already malnourished.

In this article, clinicians and experts at Abbott have proposed a stepwise strategy to help end childhood malnutrition.

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Author Bio(s):

Robert Murray, MD, FAAP

Professor, Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition 
The Ohio State University College of Medicine 
Columbus, OH, USA

Dr Murray spent more than 20 years in the field of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition at The Ohio State University School of Medicine. He served as the Pediatric Nutrition Medical Director for Abbott from 2003-2006. For ten years, Dr Murray was a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on School Health, serving as chair in the final four years. He is a board member of Action for Healthy Kids as well as a board member of the Children’s Hunger Alliance and previously served on the Board of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. Dr Murray is a past-President of the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Kirk W Kerr, PhD

Senior Manager, Health Economics
Abbott Nutrition
Columbus, OH, USA

Kirk W Kerr, PhD, joined Abbott Nutrition’s Health Economics and Outcomes Research team in June 2019. While at Abbott, Kirk has researched the impact of nutrition-focused Quality Improvement programs in inpatient, outpatient, and surgical care settings. Before joining Abbott, Kirk worked in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research researching the impact of FDA policies on drug development, drug prices, and patient access to medicines. While at the FDA, he also provided economic support for the FDA’s Generic Drug User Fee (GDUFA) and Biosimilar User Fee (BsUFA) negotiating teams. He also worked as an economic consultant on antitrust and intellectual property matters. Kirk has a PhD and MA in Economics from Ohio State University, and BS and MA in Economics from the University of Missouri.

 

 

Cory Brunton, MS, BSN, RN

Senior Analyst, Global Health Economics & Outcomes Research
Abbott Nutrition Division of Abbott
Columbus, Ohio, USA

Jennifer A. Williams

Abbott Nutrition, R&D
Columbus, OH, USA

Karyn Wulf, MD, MPH

Medical Director of Pediatrics
Abbott
Columbus, Ohio, United States

TIFFANY DEWITT, MS, MBA, RD, LD

Senior Research Scientist
Abbott Nutrition
Columbus, OH, USA

Category
Pediatric Malnutrition