Outcome of Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition and Diarrhea: a Cohort Study
10.5223/pghn.2019.22.3.242
- Author:
Sakshi BHATNAGAR
1
;
Ruchika KUMAR
;
Richa DUA
;
Srikanta BASU
;
Praveen KUMAR
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital associated Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India. pkpaed@gmail.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Malnutrition;
Cachexia;
Dehydration
- MeSH:
Cachexia;
Child;
Cohort Studies;
Dehydration;
Diarrhea;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Length of Stay;
Malnutrition;
Public Health;
Recurrence;
Severe Acute Malnutrition;
Weight Gain
- From:Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
2019;22(3):242-248
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is an important public health problem which contributes to significant number of under five deaths. Protocol based management significantly decreases risk of deaths in children with medical complications. METHODS: Outcome of children aged 2 months–5 years admitted and fulfilling definition of SAM having diarrhea (group A) was compared to children with SAM having medical complications other than diarrhea (group B). Both groups were managed according to standard recommended protocols and monitored and followed up for 12 weeks after discharge. RESULTS: The average weight gain, defaulter rate, primary failure, secondary relapse rate and readmission rate were similar in both groups. Length of stay in group A was three days longer (p-value=0.039). Discharge rate was comparable with overall 68% of children successfully discharged and 50% of children reaching weight/height >−2 standard deviation at follow-up of 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: The current management protocol is equally effective for managing children with SAM having diarrhea. Good adherence to management protocol of dehydration and timely modification of therapeutic feeds in children with persistent diarrhea results in satisfactory weight gain.
