Risk and Adverse Outcome Factors of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Children: A Hospital-Based Study in Odisha

Background Malnutrition is prevalent in 41% of children less than five years old in developing countries. Objective To determine the clinical spectrum, identify the risk factors, and find out the factors responsible for the adverse outcomes of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children. Methods In this prospective cohort, children aged one month to five years with SAM from October 2016 to September 2018 were enrolled. Clinical profile, contributing factors, treatment, and outcome of cases (n=198) were noted. Results SAM was diagnosed in 323 (1.6%) of admitted cases. The unimmunized children were 123 (62.1%). Common co-morbidities were acute gastroenteritis (n=89, 44.9%), respiratory tract infection (n=88, 44.4%), and septicemia (n=54, 26.7%). Children not on exclusive breastfeeding (n=157, 79.1%), early complementary feeding (<6 months) (n=157, 88.2%), bottle-feeding (n=138, 77.55%), low birth weight (157, 79.1%), living in kutcha houses (115, 58.2%), and unavailability of safe drinking water (131, 66.4%) were the significant risk factors. Pneumonia, diarrhea, nutritional edema, hypothermia, and circulatory shock at the time of admission were responsible for adverse outcomes. One hundred and eighty-three (92.4%) children were cured and discharged and 15 (7.6%) children died. Conclusions Wrong feeding practices and unavailability of safe drinking water have an important bearing on the development of SAM children. Pneumonia, diarrhea, nutritional edema, hypothermia, and circulatory shock at the time of admission were responsible for adverse outcomes.