Effectiveness of the WHO Protocol for the Management of Shock in Children With Severe Acute Malnutrition

Background The WHO protocol for the management of shock in children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is not supported by physiological evidence. In this study, we aimed to assess the effectiveness of the WHO treatment protocol in the management of shock in children with SAM. Methodology This cohort study included children aged 2-60 months with WHO-defined SAM and fulfilling the WHO criteria for identification of shock. The exclusion criteria included severe anemia (hemoglobin <4 g/dL), congenital anomalies, congenital heart defects, and chronic diseases. The WHO treatment protocol for the management of shock was used, and features of resolution of shock were assessed at eight and 24 hours. Oliguria was recorded at eight and 24 hours along with in-hospital mortality. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine predictors of mortality. Results Of 53 children, 40 (75.4%) were discharged and 13 (24.5%) expired. We observed significant resolution of features of shock at 24 hours compared to eight hours (35 (71.4%) vs. 10 (18.8%), p < 0.0001). Further analysis revealed a significant resolution of features of shock (p = 0.03) at 24 hours in both fluid-responsive (24 vs. 10) and fluid-refractory children (11 vs. 27) compared to eight hours. Multivariate analysis revealed that mechanical ventilation was positively related to death (odds ratio (OR) = 85, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 8.49, 860, p < 0.0001), and inotrope scores <20 (OR = 0.053, 95% CI = 0.004, 0.64, p = 0.021) and blood transfusion (OR = 0.025, 95% CI = 0.001, 0.61, p = 0.024) had favorable outcomes. Conclusions The WHO protocol for the management of shock in children with SAM is effective in fluid-responsive shock whereas evidence was inconclusive in fluid-refractory shock.