Abstract:

Background: Severe acute malnutrition as the presence of edema of both feet and severe wasting (weight for height/length < 3SD or mid upper arm circumference < 11.5 cm.

Signs and symptoms of malnutrition include wasting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, dry conjunctiva, corneal ulceration, dehydration, paleness, bilateral pitting edema and fever.

Children with severe acute malnutrition with loss of appetite or any medical complication have complicated severe acute malnutrition and should be admitted for inpatient care. Children who have a good appetite and no medical complications can be managed as outpatients.

Complications of malnutrition include shock, hypoglycemia, hypothermia, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and infections.

Management of severe acute malnutrition is according to ten commandment of WHO guideline, there are two phases, stabilization phase and rehabilitation phase. In phase manage hypoglycemia, hypothermia, dehydration, infection, micronutrients, initiate feeding which stated from first day to seventh day. Rehabilitation phase started from second week to six week and in this phase we manage electrolytes imbalance, catch up feeding. Stimulation and prepare.

Methods: This attachment study conducted at Muheza DDH (Teule) in Muheza district hospital which is one of the eight districts in Tanga region in Tanzania. The study was conducted to assess the prevalence of malnutrition in children less than five years. The data was collected randomly among children who are admitted in pediatric wards and children who attended pediatric clinic (RCH) by using questioners and measuring weights, heights and mid upper arm circumferences of children.


Results: Among 200 children, 45 were in patients and 155 were out patients who attended RCH clinic at Muheza DDH (Teule) were involved in the study and the age range from 0-5 years. The overall prevalence of malnutrition was 10.0% among 200 children who were involved 3% (6) they had severe acute malnutrition and they were treated as in patient, 5.5% (11) they had moderate malnutrition and 1.5% (3) they had obesity and 90% (180) they had normal weight and height (not malnourished). 1% (2) of SAM were boys, 2% (4) of SAM were girls, 2% (4) boys had moderate malnutrition, 3.5% (7) girls had moderate malnutrition, 1.5% (3) girls were obese and 42% (84) boys had normal weight for height and 48% (96) girls had normal weight and height.

Conclusion: More education should be provided to the parents about feeding habits of their children, quality and quantity of food to be given to their kids also they should encouraged to make sure their children attend RCH clinic until they have five years, for obese children their parents should advised to reduce fats and starch to their children so as maintain normal weight for height and age, early hospital visit to avoid complication of malnutrition.