Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Children Under 5 Years of Age at Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh

Background: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is the leading cause of death in children under the age of 5, and its prevention and treatment are essential for the survival and development of children. Children are the most vulnerable demographics and are more prone to be malnourished in an emergency due to a lack of awareness. The main motto of this study is to research their health and nutritional status and also improve their health conditions with proper feeding formulas. Methods: Data were collected from children 6-59 months old admitted to the Chittagong Medical College Hospital to assess the determinants of SAM. The nutritional status of the child was assessed by measuring height, weight, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). Facility-based inpatient treatment was performed to control complications such as diarrhea, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, infectious diseases, and deficiency of micronutrients in malnutrition. Results: Initial data from some SAM patients were collected during hospitalization. Among the patients, Z-score fluctuated between -3SD and -4SD, which were indications for SAM. Initial data of some SAM patients were taken during admission to the hospital. However, after feeding with F-75 and F-100 respectively, proper treatment and follow-up, showed that the z-score becomes-2SD and gross wasting was decreased and malnutrition tended to recover from the severe stage to a normal state. Conclusion: Institutional inpatient care is essential if SAM has advanced to the stage where the child suffers from life-threatening complications. New initiatives for managing SAM, such as Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), and community-based therapeutic care - reduce barriers to entry, facilitate early presentations, and are associated with treatment. It is designed to reduce opportunity costs and promote patient compliance.