The Morbidity Patterns of Children with Severe Malnutrition

Abstract

Malnutrition is a widespread problem worldwide Objective: To identify the morbidity patterns of children with severe acute malnutrition Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Pediatric Unit-II of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for a six-month duration from July 2021 to December 2021. Children aged 1 to 60 months with severe acute malnutrition (WHZ score <-3 SD) were selected. All patients were assessed for clinical symptoms, various disease states such as metabolic abnormalities, infections, congenital/hereditary anomalies, and outcomes such as left against medical advice (LAMA), stabilization, or death on discharge. Data was analyzed and collected using descriptive statistics in SPSS version 17. Results: A total of 150 children were admitted according to the admission criteria. The number of males was 85 (56.7%) and females 65 (43.3%), and the male to female ratio was 1.4: 1. 120 (80%) had severe wasting without edema and 30 (20%) had malnutrition with edema. The average length of stay was 10 + 3.6 days. The main incidence in children with MAS are diarrhea (46.7%), pneumonia (18.7%), sepsis (15.3%), and other diseases such as meningitis 5(3.3 %), severe skin infections, 7(4.7%), urinary tract infections 9(6%), and eye lesions due to vitamin A deficiency 2(1.3%). 13 (8.7%) patients had measles with diarrhea and pneumonia. Acute watery diarrhea was observed in 68(45.3%) of diarrhea cases. 21 (14%) children had congenital or hereditary defects. 9 (6%) had central nervous system disorders. Conclusions: The spectrum of incidence in hospitalized children with severe malnutrition includes both congenital or hereditary defects and infections. The sepsis and diarrhea with metabolic disturbances mainly contributed to the mortality.