Abstract
Background: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) results in alterations of host defence mechanisms, which leads to increased susceptibility to infections. This study describes culture-confirmed bacteria...
Highlights
Severe malnutrition is defined as weight for height z-score
Positive cultures were mainly Gramnegative organisms, of which E. coli was the predominant organism, which is different from a study done by Abrha et al in Ethiopia, which showed a predominance of Gram-positive organisms.[15]
Acinetobacter baumanii, which is traditionally a nosocomial organism, was isolated in two sputum specimens collected on admission, showing its prevalence in communities
Summary
Severe malnutrition is defined as weight for height z-score 65 cm in length).[1]. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines severe acute malnutrition (SAM) by a very low weight for height (below −3z scores of the median WHO growth standards), by visible severe wasting, or by the presence of nutritional oedema. Marasmus involves inadequate intake of protein and calories, representing the end result of starvation. It occurs in the first year of life due to lack of breast-feeding and use of dilute animal milk. Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) results in alterations of host defence mechanisms, which leads to increased susceptibility to infections. This study describes culture-confirmed bacterial infections in a cohort of HIV-negative severely malnourished children and compares it with a previously described cohort of HIV-positive children. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV reduces prevalence and incidence of HIV, which has been shown to contribute to the burden of bacterial infections in malnourished children
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