A Hospital Based Prospective Study to Evaluate the Clinical Profile & Outcome of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in Infants Below 6 Months of Age

Abstract

Background: Severe acute malnutrition is increasingly being recognized in infants under 6 months of age and is often associated with higher mortality in young infants than in older infants and children. The aim of this study is to identify the clinical profile and primary outcomeof severe acute malnutrition as defined by WHO growth reference standards in infants aged below 6 months of age at district hospital in Rajasthan. Materials& Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, District hospital, Dholpur, Rajasthan, India during one year period. 30 comprised infants with SAM as defined by current WHO guidelines: weight‐for‐length Z‐score (WLZ) <−3 and/or bilateral nutritional oedema. Exclusions were infants from twin/multiple pregnancies and those with obvious congenital anomalies that could affect feeding (e.g., cleft lip or palate).Detailed clinical examination and anthropometric measurements-weight, height and mid arm circumference was recorded. Results: The mean age of admitted patients was 5.03 ± 1.18 months.Majority of the cases, i.e. 24 (80%) were Hindus and amongthem 18 (60%) were living in rural area. 26 (86.66%) patients belong to lower socioeconomic scale(III,IV&V) and only4(13.33%)patients belonged to socioeconomic scale I and II. Fever was the most common presenting complaint in 21 (70 %) patients, followed by vomiting in 15 (50 %), loose motion in 15 (50%) and loss of appetite or weight loss in 10 (30%) patients. 18 (62.06%) were stunted at this time, and 11 (38%) severely stunted. Conclusion: We concluded that many factors such as literacy, income, age of marriage and sanitation facility indirectly or directly influence the nutritional status of infants.