Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background:Addressing the critical issue of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is pivotal for substantial reductions in both under-5 mortality and morbidity. The impracticality and cost inefficiency of hospitalizing and providing inpatient care for all affected children underscore the need for strategic intervention. Therefore, it becomes crucial to identify the factors influencing morbidity and mortality in children suffering from SAM. These factors can serve as valuable indicators for prioritizing and directing interventions, optimizing the use of resources, particularly in developing countries. In light of these considerations, the study aims to identify predictors of morbidity in children afflicted with SAM.Methods:In this observational study conducted at a hospital, we enrolled consecutive children aged between 2 months and 4 years who met the WHO case definition for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and exhibited complications necessitating hospitalization. The study focused on assessing sociodemographic, clinical, and biochemical factors to understand their influence on morbidity and mortality among these children.Results:Out of the 1852 children screened for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), 252 (13.6%) met the case definition. However, the final analysis focused on 212 children. Among these, the prevalent co-morbidities included diarrhea, followed by pneumonia, tuberculosis, and HIV. Through multivariate regression analysis, the study identified shock, hypoglycemia, severe anemia, and bacteremia as independent risk factors significantly associated with both morbidity and mortality in these children.Conclusion:The morbidity and mortality of children affected by Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) are influenced by a myriad of factors. It is crucial to pinpoint the early warning signs responsible for untimely deaths, enabling the timely hospitalization, triage, and prioritization of interventions, particularly in resource-limited settings.