Severe acute malnutrition among children under the age of 5 years
Gift C Chama1, Lukundo Siame1, Chanda Kapoma1
1School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mulungushi University, Livingstone, Zambia.
Insights
Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) affects 27% of children under five in Zambia, particularly those aged 6-24 months. Factors like HIV, TB, and comorbidities significantly increase SAM risk, necessitating enhanced interventions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Global Child Health
- Public Health in Sub-Saharan Africa
Background:
- Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a critical global child health issue, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
- Zambia experiences high child malnutrition rates, with SAM being a major contributor to under-five mortality.
- Existing WHO targets aim to reduce SAM prevalence to 5% by 2025.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in children aged 6 months to 5 years at Livingstone University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Zambia.
- To identify demographic, clinical, and hematological factors associated with SAM in this population.
- To inform targeted interventions for malnutrition reduction in Zambia.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cross-sectional study design was employed, analyzing pediatric patient records from LUTH.
- Data were collected for children aged 6 months to 5 years attended between 2020 and 2022.
- Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) was defined using WHO criteria (weight-for-height z-score <-3, MUAC <115 mm, or bilateral pitting edema).
- Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify associated factors.
Main Results:
- The study included 429 participants, with a prevalence of SAM at 27.0%.
- Factors significantly associated with SAM included younger age (6-24 months), HIV infection, Tuberculosis (TB), comorbidities, and platelet count.
- Specifically, children aged 6-24 months had an AOR of 11.60, while TB had an AOR of 22.30.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of SAM in this Zambian cohort significantly exceeds the WHO target.
- Younger children (6-24 months), and those with HIV, TB, or comorbidities are at substantially higher risk for SAM.
- Strengthening nutrition services and intensive treatment strategies are crucial for reducing SAM in vulnerable pediatric populations.
Background:
Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) poses a significant threat to child health globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Zambia, like many Sub-Saharan African nations, faces high rates of child malnutrition, with SAM contributing significantly to under-five mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with SAM.
Methods:
This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Livingstone University Teaching Hospital in Zambia (LUTH). SAM was defined according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria as either weight-for-height less than -3 standard deviations, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) less than 115 mm, or presence of bilateral pitting edema in children between 6 months and 5 years old who were attended to between 2020 and 2022. Data abstraction from pediatric patient records was conducted between August 2023 and January 2024. The records without the age and outcome variable were excluded. A total of 429 participants between 6 months and 5 years old were included, with demographic, clinical, and hematological parameters analyzed. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were employed to investigate factors associated with SAM.
Results:
Overall, 429 medical records were included in the study and the prevalence of SAM was 27.0% (n = 116). Age group 6-24 months (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 11.60; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 3.34-40.89, p<0.001), living with HIV (AOR:3.90; 95% CI: 1.14-13.70, p = 0.034), Tuberculosis (TB) (AOR:22.30, 95% CI: 4.53, 110.3, p < 0.001), comorbidities (AOR: 2.50; 95% CI 1.13, 5.88, p = 0.024) and platelet count (AOR: 1.00; 95% CI 1.00, 1.00, p = 0.027) were positively associated with SAM.
Conclusions:
This study found a high prevalence of SAM, exceeding the WHO target of reducing SAM to 5% by 2025. SAM was associated with younger age (6-24 months), HIV infection, TB, comorbidities and platelet count. Therefore, there is need to enhance strategies aimed at reducing SAM among young children, children living with HIV, TB and comorbidities, particularly by intensive treatment, continuing and strengthening nutrition services.
More Related Videos
06:15Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
Published on: March 6, 2019
10:57Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
Related Concept Videos
01:21Overview of Protein Metabolism
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
01:29Acute Respiratory Failure-V
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
01:30Acute Pancreatitis II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
01:23Acute Respiratory Failure-IV