THE FREQUENCY OF HYPONATREMIA AND HYPOKALEMIA IN MALNOURISHED CHILDREN WITH ACUTE DIARRHEA

Background: Malnutrition is a major global health problem, with the major burden being in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Afric. The study was undertaken to determine the frequency of hyponatremia an hypokalemia in malnourished children with acute diarrhea. Methods: Hospital based prospective study was conducted on 100 children between the age group of 6months to 5years presenting with acute diarrhea was include in the study. Results: Hyponatremia was observed in total 15 (15.00%) cases of diarrhea. Regarding the grade of malnutrition, hyponatremia was observed in only 4.44% in grade 1, 8.69% in grade, 41.67% in grade 3 and 60.00% in grade 4 malnutrition respectively. Hypokalemia was noticed in 10.00% cases (10 out of 100) with acute diarrhea. The frequency of hypokalemia was 4.44% in grade 1, 8.69% in grade 2, 25.00% in grade 3 and 40.00% in grade 4 malnutrition respectively. Conclusion: Electrolyte disturbances are often subclinical in malnourished children, but become obvious during the episode of acute diarrhoeal disease. Hence serum electrolytes of every malnourished child with acute diarrhoea should be estimated in order to do immediate correction and avoid serious life-threatening outcome. Keywords: IAP, Malnutrition, Diarrhoea

Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus velezensis Strain Marseille-Q1230, Isolated from a Stool Sample from a Severely Malnourished Child

Bacillus velezensis , a species first described in 2005, has been mostly associated with plants and the environment. To date, there is no genome available for this species from human samples.

Modelling for Anaemia and Malnutrition in Children Less Than Five Years of Age in Lesotho: A Case Study of a Cross-Sectional Dataset Using Multivariate Joint Model.

Background Anaemia and malnutrition remain jointly a serious health issue worldwide especially in developing countries. In Lesotho, the prevalence of anaemia and malnutrition remains highly significant especially among children less than five years of age. Objectives The primary objective of the present study was to determine the association between anaemia and malnutrition, and identify the associated factors with the two diseases among children less than five years of age in Lesotho. Methods The present study was cross-sectional and used secondary data from the 2014 Lesotho Demographic Health Survey (LDHS). The study considered a total number of 3112 children and utilized a multivariate joint model under the scope of the generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) for the data analysis. Results The prevalence of anaemia and stunting in children less than five years of age were 51% and 43% respectively. The multivariate results revealed that there is a strong relationship between anaemia and malnutrition. In addition, the results indicated that education, residence, wealth index and childbirth weight have a significant effect on stunted or malnourished child, while child with fever and diarrhoea have a significant effect on anaemia. Lastly, child’s age has a significant effect on both stunting and anaemia. Conclusion The study indicated a strong association between anaemia and stunting or malnutrition in the long-term, and controlling one disease should result in reducing the other. The socio-economic, geographical and demographic variables have a significant impact on improving stunting and anaemia. Thus, improving nutrition in children less than five years, especially those from rural area and having a birthweight less than 2500g, and educating the mothers to take their children to the health care facility when they have fever and diarrhoea, especially those from poor background, would contribute immensely to the reduction of malnutrition and anaemia in children from Lesotho.

Biological Profile of the Undernourished Child Hospitalized at the CHU of Brazzaville

Background: In developing countries, the inclusion assessment of the undernourished child in hospital is limited to simple routine examinations as in any pathology. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the relevance of the biological parameters routinely requested in addition to the parameters of undernutrition per se. Material and methods: Descriptive and analytical study carried out in Brazzaville among hospitalized and malnourished children from one to 59 months. Eight biological parameters were measured: C-reactive protein, orosomucoid, albumin and transthyretin using Cobas c311; blood count using Sysmex XN350 counter, serum protein electrophoresis on HELENA chain, sedimentation rate, and HIV retroviral serology. The R software was used for statistical analysis and the significance threshold was set at 0.05. Results: The blood count of the malnourished child reported a hypochromic microcytic anemia associated with hemodilution. The SV was moderately accelerated in a non-significant manner. Inflammatory proteins were statistically higher in severe undernutrition (p˂0.001). Serum albumin disturbances were significantly lowered in acute undernutrition (AD, p˂0.001), and not significantly in chronic undernutrition (CD). Transthyretin was significantly lowered in both forms of undernutrition (p˂0.05). Regarding serum protein electrophoresis, only albumin was significantly lowered (p˂0.001), the other fractions being normal. There was no association between undernutrition and HIV. Conclusion: The dosage of nutritional and inflammatory proteins should be promoted in our health centers for the management of undernutrition. Key words: C-Reactive Protein, Orosomucoid, Albumin, Transthyretin, undernutrition.

BENEFICIARIES' PERSPECTIVE IN REDUCING CHILD DEATHS DUE TO MALNUTRITION IN TRIBAL DISTRICT OF MAHARASHTRA: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

This study was an attempt to understand the perceptions of the beneciaries towards various services provided by Government for reducing the problem of child deaths due to malnutrition and the challenges faced. Three talukas from Palghar were chosen based on the child malnutrition status in those talukas. A descriptive cross sectional, community-based study was conducted. Data was collected through focus group discussions conducted in representative and homogeneous samples of the beneciaries, viz., adolescent girls, pregnant/lactating mothers, mothers with toddler/malnourished child, mother-in-law and husbands. It was found that the main challenges posed to the beneciaries were category specic. The major challenges were poverty, lower education levels, socio-cultural beliefs, practices and problems in having a stable source of income for livelihood which leads to constant migration. The power dynamics regarding decision making in every household rests with either the males or the elderly of the family thus leaving very little scope for women of the family to make any choices about their own health or nutrition. Hence, these decision-making power dynamics are yet another major reason for driving malnutrition across the life course.

Zero hunger and malnutrition in the African continent is potentially feasible, if nutrition programs are prioritized politically and scientifically

African countries and in particular the Sub Sahara ones contribute to the largest proportion of the global burden of poverty and associated diet-related diseases in all its forms, including micronutrient malnutrition. Malnutrition rates remain alarming: and stunting an indicator of chronic malnutrition is declining too slowly. The main objectives of the present article are to focus on 1- the current food supply and nutritional status among the vulnerable young population in African countries 2- Insight on the efforts towards reaching the global goal (2) for ending hunger within the context of the SDS2030. The methodology included urgent short- and medium-term interventions priorities programs implemented by foreign aids and international organizations for the management of severe and moderate malnutrition among African children. Details on the composition of the so-called ready-to-use foods used for treating malnourished children are presented. The outcomes of such programs with all their positives and negatives were put together as lessons to be learned and to close the information gap. The cost for treating one single malnourished child with these ready to use foods is in the range between 50 up to 200 US$. To make Goal 2 a reality by the year 2030, a number of scientific-based sustainable solutions were created and recommended for application. Maximizing the use of local food resources, and minimizing losses by applying the logarithm of linear modeling so that nutritious recipes can be formulated at the lowest cost. Capacity building of junior African academics and increased investments in research focusing on diet quality for optimizing the formulation of recipes for feeding infants and children. Strengthening scientific collaboration and exchange of visits and experiences between scientists from the 54 African countries. The establishment of an African Consortium with experts in the diverse areas of food systems to work together more effectively under the umbrella of the African Union. Keywords: African countries, Staple foods, Intake of animal-sourced foods, Severe and moderately malnourished children, Ready to use foods, SDG 2030, Sustainable nutrient-dense diets, Linear programming, Fermented foods, Intra Africa trade agreements, Political will.

Zero hunger and malnutrition in the African continent is potentially feasible, if nutrition programs are prioritized politically and scientifically

African countries and in particular the Sub Sahara ones contribute to the largest proportion of the global burden of poverty and associated diet-related diseases in all its forms, including micronutrient malnutrition. Malnutrition rates remain alarming: and stunting an indicator of chronic malnutrition is declining too slowly. The main objectives of the present article are to focus on 1- the current food supply and nutritional status among the vulnerable young population in African countries 2- Insight on the efforts towards reaching the global goal (2) for ending hunger within the context of the SDS2030. The methodology included urgent short- and medium-term interventions priorities programs implemented by foreign aids and international organizations for the management of severe and moderate malnutrition among African children. Details on the composition of the so-called ready-to-use foods used for treating malnourished children are presented. The outcomes of such programs with all their positives and negatives were put together as lessons to be learned and to close the information gap. The cost for treating one single malnourished child with these ready to use foods is in the range between 50 up to 200 US$. To make Goal 2 a reality by the year 2030, a number of scientific-based sustainable solutions were created and recommended for application. Maximizing the use of local food resources, and minimizing losses by applying the logarithm of linear modeling so that nutritious recipes can be formulated at the lowest cost. Capacity building of junior African academics and increased investments in research focusing on diet quality for optimizing the formulation of recipes for feeding infants and children. Strengthening scientific collaboration and exchange of visits and experiences between scientists from the 54 African countries. The establishment of an African Consortium with experts in the diverse areas of food systems to work together more effectively under the umbrella of the African Union. Keywords: African countries, Staple foods, Intake of animal-sourced foods, Severe and moderately malnourished children, Ready to use foods, SDG 2030, Sustainable nutrient-dense diets, Linear programming, Fermented foods, Intra Africa trade agreements, Political will.

Fatal Outcome in a Hepatitis E Virus/Human Immunodeficiency Virus Co-Infected Malnourished Child in the Central African Republic

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is responsible for major endemic outbreaks in developing countries. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and HEV are widespread in the Central African Republic. We report the first documented case of an HEV infection in a 36-month-old child already suffering from HIV and severe acute malnutrition (SAM). The HIV patient was hospitalized for SAM with persistent diarrhea and prolonged fever. The presence of IgG anti-HEV antibodies was noted. Sequencing of the amplified HEV RNA revealed the presence of genotype 3c. The alanine aminotransferase level was slightly above average. The patient died despite being treated by antiretroviral therapy accompanied by probabilistic antibiotic therapy and nutritional rehabilitation. HEV/HIV co-infection in a malnourished patient can accelerate a fatal outcome. In the presence of biological abnormalities in a severe acutely malnourished HIV-infected patient, HEV RNA detection should be added to the standard medical assessment in sub-Saharan African countries.

Factors Responsible for Childhood Malnutrition: A Review of The Literature

Children are the future of any nation. A malnourished child is not only a problem of present-day society, but also an issue for the future. However, approximately one-third of the world’s children are malnourished. Malnourishment can be measured in terms of nutrition and weight. In general, people believe that a lack of money—that is, financial poverty—is the main reason for childhood malnutrition. Nevertheless, most studies addressing this topic report that socio-economic factors are the major cause of childhood malnutrition worldwide. This study analyses how some of these socio-economic factors affect childhood malnutrition and identifies the major steps taken by the authorities of different countries to eliminate these causes. A review of the literature shows that a mother’s knowledge of her children’s health, her education level, and her place of residence are some of the major factors impacting children’s nutrition level. A literature review shows that among all types of malnutrition measurements, stunting indicates the long-term impact of consistent malnutrition most effectively. The governments of several countries as well as international organisations are trying to overcome this problem through the implementation of various programs; however, more thorough intervention is required.