Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Determining Gender-Based Differences in Retinal and Choroidal Thickness in Underweight Individuals via Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography
03:35

Determining Gender-Based Differences in Retinal and Choroidal Thickness in Underweight Individuals via Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography

Published on: December 1, 2023

815

Severe acute malnutrition and infection

Kelsey D J Jones, James A Berkley

    Paediatrics and International Child Health
    |December 6, 2014
    PubMed

    Insights

    Children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) face severe infectious diseases, often leading to death. This brief reviews evidence on managing infections in these children, highlighting critical research gaps.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatrics
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Nutritional Science

    Background:

    • Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) significantly increases children's vulnerability to common infectious diseases.
    • Infections are the primary cause of mortality in children with SAM.
    • Standard diagnostic and management approaches for infections may be inadequate in malnourished children.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review the evidence for managing infectious diseases in children with SAM.
    • To identify and address practical clinical questions regarding infection management in SAM.
    • To highlight existing research gaps in this critical area.

    Main Methods:

    • The brief synthesizes existing evidence related to clinical questions on infection management in SAM.
    • It covers a wide range of infections including pneumonia, diarrhea, sepsis, and HIV.
    • The content is structured around practical clinical questions to enhance relevance.

    Main Results:

    • The evidence base for managing many infectious diseases in children with SAM is notably poor.
    • Specific topics covered include antimicrobials, antipyretics, tuberculosis, malaria, and various infections like measles and skin infections.
    • The review identifies significant gaps in current research and clinical guidelines.

    Conclusions:

    • There is a critical need for more robust evidence to guide the management of infections in children with SAM.
    • Current practices require careful consideration due to the unique physiological state of malnourished children.
    • Further research is essential to improve outcomes and reduce mortality in this vulnerable population.

    Keywords:
    Antibiotics,Children,Diarrhoea,HIV,Infection,MalariaMalnutrition,Measles,Pneumonia,Sepsis,Tuberculosis,Urinary tract infection,

    More Related Videos

    Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children10:57

    Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children

    Published on: August 22, 2012

    24.8K
    Author Spotlight: Advanced Integrated Model for Sepsis-Induced Myopathy and Single-Cell Metabolic Analysis04:01

    Author Spotlight: Advanced Integrated Model for Sepsis-Induced Myopathy and Single-Cell Metabolic Analysis

    Published on: June 14, 2024

    1.8K

    Related Concept Videos

    Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

    Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

    Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
    Causative Organism
    The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
    Mode of...
    1.6K
    Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

    Immunodeficiency Diseases

    Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
    There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...
    3.7K
    Overview of Protein Metabolism01:21

    Overview of Protein Metabolism

    Proteins are broken down into amino acids during digestion. Unlike fats and carbohydrates, which are stored for later use, proteins are not. Instead, amino acids are either used to produce ATP through oxidation or contribute to the creation of new proteins for the growth and repair of the body. Any surplus amino acids from the diet are converted into glucose or triglycerides rather than excreted.
    Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
    4.9K
    Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

    Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

    Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
    3
    Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

    Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

    Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
    769
    Reservoir of Infection01:30

    Reservoir of Infection

    Infectious diseases arise from intricate interactions between pathogens and their reservoirs. A reservoir of infection refers to the natural habitat where a pathogen lives, grows, and multiplies, serving as a continual source of infection. Reservoirs are broadly classified as either living or nonliving, and each plays a unique role in disease transmission, significantly influencing public health interventions and control strategies.Humans act as reservoirs for a wide array of pathogens,...
    67