Demographic, clinical profile of severe acute malnutrition and our experience of nutrition rehabilitation centre at children hospital Srinagar Kashmir

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition in children is widely prevalent in India. Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) have nine times higher risk of dying than well-nourished children. Objective of current study was to know the demographic and clinical profile of patients with SAM, and assess the effectiveness of NRC in providing therapeutic care for children with SAM in Kashmir. Methods: A prospective hospital based study, carried out in the Nutritional Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) Department of Pediatrics, G.B. Pant Hospital Government Medical College and Research Institute, Srinagar India from April 2014 to March 2015. All the children who were admitted to NRC ward of hospital during study period. All children with SAM were enrolled in this study. Variables recorded were demographics, anthropometry, clinical presentation, laboratory tests, and medical complications, outcome indicators and hospital course. Results: A total of 146 children were admitted for SAM. Among these patients 80 (54.8%) were males, 39.7% were in the age group of 1 to 2 years. 61.6% children were from lower socioeconomic strata and 85%  from rural Kashmir. The most common co morbidity in SAM patients was acute gastroenteritis (30%) followed by acute respiratory infection (26.3%). 75.3% was recovery rate and only one patient died during study period.   Conclusions: NRCs provide live-saving care for children with SAM as demonstrated by the high survival rates of the program. Community-based therapeutic care for children with uncomplicated SAM needs to become a key component of the continuum of care for children with SAM.