Morbidity patterns and outcome in children with severe acute malnutrition at a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Abstract

Objectives: We planned this study to find out morbidity patterns as well as outcome of admitted children aged less than 5 years of age with severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Department of Pediatrics Medicine, Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore. Period: From 1^st January 2018 to 30^th June 2018. Material & Methods: A total of 80 children aged 1 to 59 months, of both genders, having SAM were considered. Physical examination, detailed clinical as well as laboratory findings related to nutritional status and comorbidities were noted. Outcome in terms of recovery/discharge, left against medical advice (LAMA) or death during the stay was noted in all the children. Results: Out of a total of 80 children, 20 (25.0%) were aged 1 to 6 months, 39 (48.8%) from 7 to 24 months and 21 (26.2%) from 25 to 59 months. Most of the patients, 39 (48.8%) were from 7 to 24 months of age, 62 (77.5%) were admitted through emergency, 52 (65.0%) had WHZ score-4SD and 27 (33.8%) using bottle feeding. Severe wasting without having edema was reported in 67 (83.8%) children. Diarrhea was the commonest comorbidity, found in 43 (53.8%) children, followed by sepsis 17 (21.3%) and pneumonia 15 (18.8%). There were 69 (86.3%) children noted having anemia. Hyponatremia was the commonest metabolic abnormality seen in 40 (25.0%) children. In terms of outcome, 71 (88.7%) children recovered well and got discharged while mortality was reported in 5 (6.3%) children. Conclusion: Diarrhea along with sepsis and pneumonia along with metabolic abnormalities were found to be more prevalent amongst children having SAM. Early identification of anemia as well as infections in children with SAM can contribute to better outcome.