DEMOGRAPHIC STUDY OF SEVERE ACUTE MALNOURISHED CHILDREN AT OUR INSTITUTION

Abstract

Background –Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among children below ve years of age is a major health problem for developing countries. These malnourished children are more prone to various infections. This leads to increase burden of morbidity and mortality. So, this over all affect the capital growth of country. we tried to nd out a correlation of malnutrition with exclusive breast feeding, weaning practice, socioeconomic status and infection etc. on the basis of clinical laboratory data. Method –This study was conducted in 178 children, at Department of Pediatrics in collaboration with Department of Pathology, Microbiology, Radiology and Pulmonary medicine, at Sardar Patel Medical College and Associated Group of Hospitals, Bikaner (Rajasthan), between 01.01.2013 and 31.12.2013. Results – Total 178 children were included in this study. Out of 178, 102 were male and 76 female. Non oedematous malnourished (wasted) were 147 (82.58%) children and while 31 (17.42%) children were diagnosed as having oedematous malnutrition (p <0.001). exclusive breast feed were given to 106 children. Mean weight was 5.37 ± 2.78 kg in our study. Out of 178, 145 (81.46%) children had anaemia with median hemoglobin 8 gm/dl. Delayed milestone were seen in 64 (35.95%) children. SAM is common in overcrowded, lower socioeconomic, joint family with lack of sanitary facility. Conclusion - Malnutrition remains a major health problem among under ve year children population altering physical and mental health of the nation. The most prone age group for malnutrition was below 2 years of age. Poor socio-economic status, overcrowded and unhygienic living conditions and low education level were the associated causes for malnutrition