Demographic Profile, Clinical Profile and Outcome of Severe Acute Malnutrition among Children Aged 6 to 59 Months at a Tertiary Care Hospital, North East India

BACKGROUND Malnutrition is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years of age. Children with severe acute malnutrition have nine times higher mortality than those in well-nourished children. The purpose of this study was to describe the demography, clinical profile, and outcome of children with severe acute malnutrition aged between 6 months to 59 months admitted in nutrition rehabilitation centre at a tertiary care hospital in North East India. METHODS A cross sectional-observational hospital-based study was conducted between May 2019 and April 2020 on 140 children. Severe acute malnutrition was diagnosed as per WHO criteria by using standard techniques. Variables recorded were demographic factors, anthropometry, clinical profile, laboratory tests, and medical complications. The outcome indicators including hospital course were studied. RESULTS In the present study 63.6 % were males and the mean age of presentation was 20.0 ± 1.54 months. 57.1 % children were found to be having both weight for height z-score below – 3 SD and mid upper arm circumference less than 115 mm together. Acute gastroenteritis (45.2 %) was the most common co-morbid condition followed by respiratory tract infection (26.2 %). Iron deficiency anaemia was found in 70.7 % of study children. Recovery rate from severe acute malnutrition was 86.4 % with average weight gain of 6.4 g / kg / day. CONCLUSIONS Children with severe acute malnutrition tend to suffer from serious co-morbid conditions. Early identification and treatment in nutrition rehabilitation centre with facility for critical care support should become a key component of continuum of care for children with severe acute malnutrition. KEYWORDS Children, Clinical Profile, Facility-Based Care, Severe Acute Malnutrition, Outcome