Severe Acute Malnutrition and Its Consequences Among Malnourished Children

Abstract

Severe Acute Malnutrition is the most serious form of childhood malnutrition, as a major public health problem associated with very high rates of morbidity and mortality. It is one of the key drivers of child mortality in the developing countries. SAM is one of the main reasons for children’s hospital admission and is one of the key drivers of child mortality in the developing countries. SAM among children has adverse outcome it has serious physiological consequences, including reductive adaptation, marked immunosuppression, and concurrent infection such as diarrhea and pneumonia. It can lead to increased risk of dying by 12-folds. In addition, other long-term consequences are increased risk for stunting, possible later overweight and non-communicable diseases, and impaired cognitive development. It is linked to reduced learning ability and school performance.