Prevalence of severe acute malnutrition and its effect on under-five mortality at a regional hospital in South Africa
S. Afr. j. clin. nutr. (Online)
;
35(4): 149-154, 2022. figures, tables
Article
in English
| AIM
| ID: biblio-1401070
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is an important global and national public health concern. It contributes tounder-five mortality but is also largely a preventable disease.Objective:
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of and mortality associated with SAM.Design:
A retrospective review of hospital files was conducted.Setting:
Dora Nginza Hospital, Eastern Cape, South Africa was the site of the study.Subjects:
The study included children from 6 to 59 months of age admitted to the paediatric ward between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018. Children with chronic disease were excluded. Ethics approval was granted by Walter Sisulu University (053/2019). Outcomemeasures:
Anthropometric, co-morbid and outcomes data were retrieved and analysed.Results:
A total of 1 296 children were included in the study, 93 with SAM. The prevalence of SAM was 7.2%. Children with SAM had a median age of 16 months (IQR 1125). Gender distribution was 52 (56%) females and 41 (44%) males. The inpatient mortality rate for children with SAM was 6.5%. Children with SAM were at significantly increased risk of mortality (RR 5.97, 95% CI 3.111.6, p-value < 0.0005). Three factors were significantly associated with mortality nutritional oedema, sepsis, and hypokalaemia.Conclusion:
The prevalence of SAM at Dora Nginza Hospital is high, and children with SAM are at significantly increased risk of mortality. Specific risk factors for mortality include sepsis, urinary tract infection, nutritional oedema and hypokalaemia. Modifiable factors associated with SAM and SAM-related mortality need to be targeted urgently to improve outcomes.
Full text:
Available
Index:
AIM (Africa)
Main subject:
Urinary Tract Infections
/
Severe Acute Malnutrition
/
Hospital Planning
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prevalence study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
/
Infant, Newborn
Language:
English
Journal:
S. Afr. j. clin. nutr. (Online)
Year:
2022
Type:
Article
Institution/Affiliation country:
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Dora Nginza Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, Nelson Mandela University/ZA
/
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Dora Nginza Hospital and Walter Sisulu University/ZA
/
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Dora Nginza Hospital/ZA
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