Demographic and clinical profile of children with severe acute malnutrition admitted in a tertiary care hospital in Mahbubnagar, India

ABSTRACT

Background: All possible efforts are being made by the governments, and other agencies to reduce the burden of these problems of malnutrition and deaths associated with it but still it remains a challenge. Severe acute malnutrition continues to constitute an important risk for mortality and morbidity among the under five children. Objective of the study was to study the profile and risk factors of severe acute malnutrition of the under five children in a tertiary care hospital setting.Methods: Hospital based cross sectional study was carried out among 60 under five children with severe acute malnutrition who were admitted for difference causes in the Pediatric wards of SVS Medical College and Hospital, Mahabubnagar. A detailed history and physical examination were done. Anthropometric indices like weight, length/height, MUAC and weight for height were recorded and analysed using WHO growth charts.Results: Majority of the children with severe acute malnutrition were found in the age group of 1-2 years i.e. 48.3%. Males were more (69%) compared to females (31%) and this can be attributed to the hospital based cross sectional nature of the present study. Only 21.6% of the children were completely immunized for age. Majority of the children were found to have grade IV type of malnutrition i.e. 38.3%. Majority of the children presented with fever in 71.6% of the cases. Majority of the children had gastrointestinal related comorbidity in 54.6% of the cases.Conclusions: Incomplete immunization, low social class, inappropriate feeding practices in young age of <1 year are important risk factors of severe acute malnutrition.