Sociodemographic, Clinical Correlates, and Hospitalization Outcomes in 0 to 59 Months Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition in the Therapeutic Nutritional Unit
Authors:   Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai/ Bronx Care Health System, New York, USA, Ngaba Neguemadji Ngardig , Nursjamsi Narissa ,   Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Jawa Barat, Indonesia, Patel Sweetyben ,   Medical school: Odessa National Medical University, Ukraine, Hange Namrata ,   Eurasian Cancer Research Council, Mumbai, India, Chirumamilla Avinash ,   Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India, Martial Nodjemadje Tamlengar ,   Wuhan University, Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Wuhan, Hubei , China, Yanamala Madhuri ,   John Fitzgerald Kennedy school of medicine, Curaçao, Willemstad Antilles, Necesito Junsay Janne Patrice ,   Cebu Institute of Medicine, F. Ramos St., Cebu City 6000, Philippines, Ligsay Pormento Maria Kezia Lourdes ,   Ateneo de Manila University Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines, Djeagou Albine ,   Faculty of health sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon, Ahmad Khan Imteyaz ,   Rutgers University - College Avenue Campus, New Brunswick, NJ, USA, Gulati Amit ,   Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital, Cardiovascular department, New York, USA, Khurana Sakshi ,   Columbia University Medical Center, Radiology, New York, NY, USA, Lyengar Sumedh ,   Bridgeport Hospital Internal Medicine, Bridgeport, CT, USA, Reddy Somagutta Manoj Kumar ,   SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA, Metekia Lidya ,   Salem Anesthesia Pain Clinic, 6638 152A, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, Kumar Pelash ,   Liaquat National hospital and medical college, Karachi, Pakistan, Hussain Syed Anas ,   Dow Medical college, Baba-e-Urdu Road, Karachi, Pakistan
Published: November 2024

Background Globally, the mortality and morbidity estimates from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in under-five children (0-59 months) are highly significant in low-income countries. This study aims to contribute to the fight against SAM in under-five Chadian children. Method A cross-sectional study was performed on data collected from surveys conducted for 30 days on 326 hospitalized patients with SAM of under- five children. The participants included in the study fulfilled the admission criteria at the therapeutic nutritional unit (TNU) of Alerte Sante. This study assessed the sociodemographic characteristics, factors related to healthcare access, dietary patterns and clinical factors, and length of hospitalization and outcomes for the admitted children. MAS types were classified using the mid-upper arm centimeter (MUAC), WHO Weight- to-Height Z-score (WHZ) scale, and edema assessment. Results Among the study population, the male gender was predominant (65.6%). Most of the children (85.9%) belong to Muslim households. Children aged between 12 and 23 months were mainly represented. Marasmus type of SAM was around 90%. The most prevalent chief complaint for admission was Diarrhea (18.8%). The findings revealed 69% of patients discharged after recovery, 11 (3.37%) deaths, from which 54.5% belong to the age group of 12-24 months. Conclusion SAM is still prevalent in N’Djamena for under-five children. The study found several socio-demographic factors associated with SAM. Considering the strong association between diarrhea and related highest- case fatalities, advocacy and health education regarding breastfeeding, hygiene, and nutrition will immensely help