ABSTRACT
Background: A relatively effective method for the management of acute malnutrition in severely malnourished < 5 year children is their management according to WHO guidelines in stabilization centers where they are admitted with medical complications
Objectives: To improve the nutritional status of complicated malnourished children before their discharge from stabilization centers. Study design, settings and duration: Hospital based, exploratory study conducting in stabilization centers at Ghotki and Larkana. Sindh from September to November 2015
Subjects and Methods: By using universal sampling technique, all children who were enrolled and completed their treatment in October 2015 in the stabilization centers at Ghotki and Larkana, Sindh were included in the study. The parameters recorded included weight, length/height, mid upper arm circumference, heamoglobin level [both at the time of admission and discharge] while for nutritional rehabilitation, therapeutic milk F75 and F100 were given
Results: Total 78 children were enrolled for treatment in stabilization centers. Their average length of stay in stabilization center was 7.1 days. The average weight gain was found to be 9.028 [+/- 3.956]gm/kg/day which was statistically significant. The mean gain in the mid upper arm circumference, weight for height, body mass index and hemoglobin level at the time of discharge were also statistically significant [p < 0.000]. Height did not show any significant change
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that management of severally malnourished children in accordance with the international standards resulted in significant improvement of nutritional status of children