Clinical profile, management and outcome of under 5 children with severe acute malnutrition in NRC attached to a teaching hospital

Abstract

Malnutrition is an important contributing factor for most deaths amongst children suffering from common childhood illness, such as diarrhea and pneumonia. Globally, malnutrition is responsible for almost one-half (45%) of the total under five deaths. Present study was undertaken to study the clinical profile and outcome of SAM children in MGM Hospital, Warangal, from december 2016 to september 2018 over 306 children above 6 months under 5 years of age.in this study majority were between the age of 12-24 months(47.4%). URTI (66.7%) was the most common associated comorbidity followed by anemia(50.3%) followed by Acute GE(41.2%). Severedehydration(28.1%)were the most common complication observed followed by Dyselectrolytemia. Every malnourished child can be weaned to healthy life if proper nutritional rehabilitation is provided. Malnutrition clinic in every pediatric set up can go a long way to reduce the childhood morbidity and mortality consequent to SAM.